Rizwan had ‘two days in intensive care’ before T20 World Cup semifinal in Dubai 

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup semi-final match between Australia and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on November 11, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 12 November 2021
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Rizwan had ‘two days in intensive care’ before T20 World Cup semifinal in Dubai 

  • Pakistani wicket-keeper-batsman was hospitalized after developing severe chest infection on Nov 9 
  • Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 67 runs off 52 deliveries in Thursday’s nail-biter against Australia 

DUBAI: Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 67 in Thursday’s T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia despite spending two days in a hospital intensive care unit due to a chest infection, the team doctor said following their five-wicket loss. 

Rizwan and veteran Shoaib Malik remained doubtful for the game due to fever. 

“Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on November 9th after which he was admitted to the hospital. He spent two nights in the ICU recovering,” Pakistan’s team doctor Najeeb Somroo said. 

“He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match. We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today.” 

He added: “The decision regarding his health was made by the whole team management. This was regarding the morale of the whole team and therefore we kept it within the team.” 

Rizwan’s 52-ball knock and his key partnerships including a 72-run second-wicket stand with Fakhar Zaman, who made an unbeaten 55, helped Pakistan to 176-4 after being invited to bat first. 

Captain Babar Azam, who made 39 to lead the tournament’s batting chart with 303 runs, praised his opening partner’s “exceptional” attitude. 

“Definitely he’s a team man. The way he played today, it was exceptional,” said Babar. 

“When I saw him, he was a little bit down, but when I asked him about his health he said, no, I will play. And the way he played today he showed that he’s a team man. And I am very confident about his attitude and his performance.” 

Marcus Stoinis (40) and Matthew Wade (41) put on an unbeaten stand of 81 to power Australia into Sunday’s final against New Zealand with five wickets and one over to spare. 


Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

Updated 03 March 2026
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Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

  • Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga

MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.