Nepal secure berth at Global Qualifiers of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for first time
Nepal have for the first time secured a berth at the Global Qualifiers of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Nepal secured the place by defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by five wickets.
Nepal climbed to this position by securing the top two berths of Super 3.
Now, Nepal will play in the Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier this year.
A total of 10 teams, including Nepal, will participate in the Global Qualifiers.
The top four teams in that competition will play in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup cricket tournament in England in 2026.
In the match played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Thailand today, UAE, batting first after losing the toss, scored 114 runs while losing seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Nepal achieved the target of 115 runs in 19.3 overs at the loss of five wickets. Captain Indu Barma scored an unbeaten 30 runs for Nepal. Similarly, Rubina Chhetri scored 23 runs, Samjhana Khadka made 21 runs, Puja Mahto contributed 13 runs and Ruby Podar scored an unbeaten six runs.
Michel Both, Suraksha Kote, Vaishnavi Mahesh, and captain Esha Oza took one wicket each for the UAE.
Before this, captain Isha Oja contributed the highest 39 runs to the total score of 114 runs for THE UAE. Similarly, Tirth Sathish scored 21 runs, Heena Hotachandani scored 20 runs, and Labhnya Keni scored 12 runs.
Manisha Upadhyaya took four wickets for Nepal. Similarly, Kavita Kunwar and Rajmati Airi claimed two wickets and one wicket respectively.
Meanwhile, in the first match of the Super 3, Thailand secured their spot in the Global Qualifiers by defeating the UAE by 54 runs. Now, Nepal will play their final match of the Super 3 against Thailand on Tuesday.
Inter held 2-2 by Lazio as Pedro penalty deals blow to title hopes
Inter Milan's title hopes were dealt a crushing blow when a late Pedro penalty earned Lazio a 2-2 draw at the San Siro on Sunday, to leave the Serie A champions one point behind Napoli going into the final game of the season, Reuters reported.
With leaders Napoli held to a 0-0 draw by Parma, Inter missed the perfect opportunity to move into pole position at just the right time, but Yann Bisseck went from hero to villain, conceding the 90th-minute penalty after opening the scoring.
Inter are on 78 points and are away to Como on the final day with Napoli on 79, and they will host Cagliari. Should the sides finish level on points, the title will be decided by a playoff. Lazio are sixth on 65 points, two behind Juventus in fourth, according to Reuters.
The first half was mostly played at a pace which made the game look like an end of season match with nothing riding on it rather than two sides with still very much to play for.
Federico Dimarco's first-time effort from the edge of the area, which was parried away by Lazio keeper Christos Mandas after half an hour, was the first shot on target, and Inter keeper Yann Sommer was called into action shortly before the break, Reuters reported.
Mbappe and Bellingham give Real Madrid 2-0 win over nine-man Sevilla
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored late in the second half to give a depleted Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Sevilla, who ended the game with nine men after straight red cards to Loic Bade and Isaac Romero, Reuters reported.
With leaders Barcelona having already secured the title after Thursday's 2-0 win at city rivals Espanyol gave them an unassailable lead with two games left to play, Real entered the game missing several regular starters including Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
Sevilla were a man down after 11 minutes when Bade held Mbappe to stop a quick counter-attack, with the referee considering it was a clear scoring opportunity for Real and flashing a straight red card at the French defender, according to Reuters.
However, despite dominating possession, Real struggled to create many chances with Mbappe and Endrick missing clear opportunities before the break.
Sevilla had a second player sent off three minutes after the restart when halftime substitute Isaac Romero's unpleasant studs up tackle on Aurelien Tchouameni earned another straight red card.
Five minutes after hitting the crossbar with a shot in the 70th minute, Mbappe finally managed to break the deadlock, slotting a low strike from outside the box just inside the right post, Reuters reported.
Gujarat, Bengaluru and Punjab advance to IPL playoffs
Sai Sudharsan hit 108 not out off 61 balls as Gujarat Titans thrashed Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets on Sunday and sealed its spot in the Indian Premier League playoffs, Associated Press reported.
Sudharsan shared a double-century unbeaten opening stand with skipper Shubman Gill – the third equal highest by runs in the IPL – as the Titans reached 205-0 in 19 overs.
Gill scored 93 not out off 53 deliveries.
Their stand canceled out Lokesh Rahul’s 65-ball 112 not out — his fifth IPL century – in Delhi’s 199-3 in 20 overs. It was Delhi’s fifth loss in seven games.
Gujarat climbed to the top of the IPL points table with 18 points from 12 games. Its victory over fifth-placed Delhi also meant that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (second, 17 points) and Punjab Kings (third, 17 points) also advanced to the playoffs.
Delhi has 13 points and is a point behind fourth-placed Mumbai Indians, who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot, with two regular season matches remaining. Lucknow Super Giants is currently seventh with 10 points from only 11 games, according to Associated Press.
Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs earlier Sunday to secure its playoff spot.