Abrar’s four wicket haul helps Pakistan skittle South Africa for 143

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed, left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa's Corbin Bosch during the third one day international cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa, in Faisalabad, Pakistan, on Nov. 8, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 08 November 2025
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Abrar’s four wicket haul helps Pakistan skittle South Africa for 143

  • Quinton de Kock led South Africa with 53 off 70 balls after a strong opening stand
  • Pakistan’s spinners triggered a collapse as the visitors lost nine wickets for 56 runs

FAISALABAD: Spinner Abrar Ahmed took a career-best four wicket haul as Pakistan dismissed South Africa for a paltry 143 in the third and final one-day international in Faisalabad on Saturday.

The 27-year-old grabbed 4-27 while fellow spinner Salman Agha (2-18) and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-18) shared wickets as only four batters crossed double figures after South Africa won the toss and batted.

The series is level at 1-1 with Pakistan winning the first game by two wickets and South Africa took the second by eight wickets, both in Faisalabad.

Quinton de Kock followed his hundred in the second match with a top score of 53 off 70 balls with a six and six boundaries while Lhuan-dre Pretorius knocked a 45-ball 39 with a six and four boundaries.

De Kock and Pretorius set the platform with a 72-run opening stand before the spinners hit back for Pakistan as the visitors lost their nine wickets for 56 runs.

Agha dismissed Pretorius and Tony de Zorzi for two in the space of 15 runs before left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz ended all hopes of a big total with the wicket of De Kock in the 25th over.

Abrar jolted the innings by dismissing Rubin Hermann (one), Donovan Ferreira (seven) and Corbin Bosch (nought) in successive overs.

He then ended skipper Matthew Breetzke’s resistence-filled 16 to improve on his previous best of 4-33 which came against Zimbabwe in Harare last year.

Shaheen had Nqabayomzi Peter (16) and Lungi Ngidi (nought) to wrap the innings in the 38th over.


Messi dazzles as Miami beat Vancouver to win MLS title

Updated 07 December 2025
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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.