DUBAI: India’s Virat Kohli on Sunday became only the third batsman in one-day international history to go past 14,000 runs in a key Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan.
Kohli, 36, entered the group match in Dubai with 13,985 runs in 298 ODIs and reached the landmark with a flowing punch through the covers off pace bowler Haris Rauf.
India are chasing Pakistan’s total of 241 all out.
Known as “King Kohli” for his prolific run-scoring, the former captain is behind only Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs).
Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup triumph last year.
The two have been struggling to find their best form in both Test and 50-over format due to inconsistent run-scoring, with speculation growing that they may soon retire.
India’s Virat Kohli reaches 14,000 ODI runs
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India’s Virat Kohli reaches 14,000 ODI runs
- Kohli entered Champions Trophy match against Pakistan with 13,985 runs and reached the landmark with flowing punch through covers off Haris Rauf
- The former Indian captain is behind only Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs)
Messi dazzles as Miami beat Vancouver to win MLS title
- Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE, United States: Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a leading role in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami took the lead after an early Edier Ocampo own goal but were left reeling by Ali Ahmed’s second half-equalizer for Vancouver.
But Messi then laid on an assist for Argentina international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul to put Miami 2-1 up before supplying the pass for Tadeo Allende’s injury time goal that sealed victory.
Miami’s first Major League Soccer crown provided glittering vindication for co-owner David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star who had long dreamed of bringing success to Miami.
“There was a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed,” Beckham said afterwards. “I always believed in bringing the team here, and when I found the right partners I knew anything was possible.
“We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”
Vancouver — spearheaded by German legend Thomas Mueller — had looked the likelier victor after recovering from Ocampo’s eighth minute own goal to level through Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute.
The Whitecaps almost took the lead moments after the equalizer, with Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot crashing off both posts in the 62nd minute as Miami escaped.
But with the Whitecaps in complete control, the Canadians were stunned when Miami regained the lead after a blunder by midfielder Andres Cubas.
Cubas took too long in possession and was robbed by Messi, who skipped clear before releasing De Paul to provide the clinical finish.
Vancouver never recovered from that hammer blow and Miami started the party in injury time when Messi played in Allende for the third to make it 3-1.
The win marks the crowning achievement of Inter Miami since the club — which entered the league as an expansion club in 2020 — successfully lured Messi to Miami in 2023.
Saturday’s victory also marked the end of an era for two key figures in Miami’s rise to the top of Major League Soccer, with former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets heading into retirement.
