Shadab Khan fined for violation in West Indies T20

In this file photo, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka’s Milinda Siriwardana during the second one day international (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 16, 2017. (AFP)
Updated 03 April 2018
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Shadab Khan fined for violation in West Indies T20

  • Pakistan's Shadab Khan fined for violating player's code of conduct during T20 match against West Indies
  • 19-year-old leg-spinner fined 20 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit point

KARACHI: Pakistan’s teenage leg-spinner Shadab Khan has been fined for violating the players’ code of conduct in a Twenty20 against the West Indies, the International Cricket Council said Tuesday.
The 19-year-old was fined 20 percent of his match fee and handed a one demerit point following a “send off” signal after dismissing West Indian opener Chadwick Walton in the second Twenty20 international in Karachi on Monday.
“The Pakistan wrist spinner was found to have violated article 2.1.7 of the code, which relates to ‘using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal during an international match’,” the ICC said in a statement.
The incident happened in the ninth over of the Windies’ innings “when Shadab, after dismissing Walton, pointed his finger at the departing batsman and also made an inappropriate comment.
“After the match, Shadab admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon, the ICC match referee, and as such there was no need for a formal hearing.”
Shadab took 2-23 in the match which Pakistan won by 82 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The last fixture is also in Karachi on Tuesday.
Shadab has played one Test, 17 one-dayers and 15 Twenty20 internationals since making his debut last year.


Real Madrid victory in Super Cup semi-final sets up fourth consecutive El Clásico in Saudi Arabia

Updated 09 January 2026
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Real Madrid victory in Super Cup semi-final sets up fourth consecutive El Clásico in Saudi Arabia

  • Early Valverde rocket set the tone for a physical encounter in front of a packed Al-Inma Stadium
  • 55,651 fans attended the match, topping Barcelona-Athletic Bilbao’s crowd by more than 5,000

JEDDAH: While Wednesday saw a sea of blue and red take over Al-Inma Stadium, Thursday belonged almost entirely to the colour white. The second semi-final of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup pitted Madrid Derby rivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid against each other in a fiercely contested encounter that ignited within the opening two minutes and ended with a 2-1 victory to Real Madrid.

In the first minute of the game, Real Madrid won a free kick from a position that appeared harmless, but Federico Valverde had other ideas. The Uruguayan unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that flew into the net, sending the stadium into raptures almost immediately.

Despite the early breakthrough, Real Madrid did not dominate proceedings. Atlético controlled much of the shot count, pushing relentlessly as they attempted to overcome the forged “home” advantage enjoyed by their city rivals in Jeddah.

That advantage was not driven solely by Saudi supporters. Ahead of kick-off, official broadcaster Thmanyah Sports got hold of a Real Madrid fan from Iraq who praised the organisation of the event and thanked Saudi Arabia for providing fans from across the region the opportunity to watch their team live.

Atlético didn’t plan on sending those fans home with a smile. They forced Thibaut Courtois into action on multiple occasions, with his save from a corner mid-way into the first half proving key in preserving Real’s lead.

Real did get close to doubling their advantage in the 27th minute when Rodrygo found himself through on goal, executing a trademark Ronaldo chop to beat his marker before being denied by Jan Oblak.

Atlético resumed their push after the break. In the 49th minute, they looked to find Julián Álvarez with a dangerous cross, but Antonio Rüdiger reacted sharply to step in and clear.

Once again, it was Real Madrid’s individual quality that made the difference. Valverde split the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, releasing Rodrygo, who calmly slotted past Oblak in the 55th minute.

Atlético responded with increased vigour almost immediately. A slick move down the right flank culminated in a cross from Giuliano Simeone, which Alexander Sørloth powered home beyond Raúl Asencio in the 58th minute to bring the contest back to life.

As Atlético pushed for an equaliser, the Real Madrid fans rallied behind their team with chants familiar to Jeddah. Borrowing from one of Al-Ahli’s most popular anthems — one that engulfed Middle Eastern football in recent years — the crowd sang in unison: “For Real we came, from every city.”

Atlético were not fazed, as they came agonisingly close to levelling soon after. Antoine Griezmann produced a spectacular overhead kick from close range, only for Courtois to make another vital save. Moments later, Marcos Llorente broke through on the right once more, but his effort drifted wide.

Llorente continued to threaten, curling another attempt — this time from outside the box — but once again failed to find the target as Atlético searched desperately for a way back into the game.

Ultimately, Real Madrid managed to emerge unscathed, as they held on for the 2-1 victory.

Sunday will see the Al-Inma Stadium host once again, as Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the fourth consecutive El Clásico Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona won the first encounter in 2023, followed by a 4-1 victory by Real in 2024, before Barcelona rallied to a 5-2 victory in the 2025 edition.