“We need more strike rotation and batting partnerships”: Fatima Sana …

Dubai [UAE], September 8 (ANI): Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has called for improvement across several areas of her team’s game as they prepare to face unbeaten Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan secured their place in the last four with a convincing 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China on Monday. Experienced spinner Nashra Sundhu starred with a six-wicket haul, registering the best-ever T20I figures by a Pakistan bowler. chickenroadslot.pro

Despite the emphatic win, Fatima believes Pakistan cannot afford to be complacent against Sri Lanka and identified batting as one area requiring attention ahead of the knockout clash.

“I think in the batting side we need more, like strike rotation in the batting, and we need more partnerships. And we will try to sit together and discuss these things," Fatima said after the win over Hong Kong, China, as per the ICC website.

Pakistan will now face a Sri Lankan side that has remained unbeaten in the tournament, making Friday’s encounter a significant test for Fatima’s team as they look to reach the final.

“So we just go and sit together and discuss a lot of things before the semi-final because we know that it’s a knockout match, so we will try," said Fatima.

While Pakistan advanced to the semi-finals, Hong Kong, China ended their campaign without a win from three matches. However, captain Natasha Miles was pleased with the experience of competing against some of the leading teams in women’s cricket.

Hong Kong, China came close to securing a victory in their tournament opener against Thailand, eventually losing by six runs, and Miles felt the campaign provided valuable lessons for her side.

“It’s been super," Miles said, according to the ICC website. “Always playing this standard of cricket is going to test you, and it’s going to get you to learn more about your game, about yourselves."

“It’s been a really fun campaign, exciting, and hopefully we get to come and do this a few more times," she added.

Pakistan will now look to build on Sundhu’s record-breaking bowling performance while addressing their batting shortcomings when they take on Sri Lanka in the high-stakes semi-final on Friday. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Elite European clubs will pay a tribute to the lives lost in the tragic floods that took place in Nepal earlier this month before every single matchday one fixture of the upcoming UEFA Champions League 2026-27 season which kicks-off today.

UEFA has announced that a moment of silence will be observed before every Champions League match in Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 league phase.

A banner carrying the message “You are not alone Nepal” will also be displayed at stadiums across Europe.

The tribute comes after flash floods struck Nepal on August 26. The disaster, which followed a glacier collapse in the country’s border region with China, caused widespread destruction and left thousands of people dead or missing. Rescue teams have continued their search for survivors as authorities recover bodies from the affected areas.

UEFA said the gesture was meant to show support for the people affected by the tragedy. The organization’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, said the entire European football family would stand together before the matches to express its condolences.

“The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal,” Ceferin said. “We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath,” Ceferin concluded.

The tribute will take place before all 18 matches scheduled across the three days of matchday one. It will be a reminder that football’s reach extends beyond the pitch and that the sport is for everyone. Nepal is a football loving nation and that’s why this gesture holds plenty of significance.

UEFA Champions League 2026-27 preview in brief and MD 1 schedule

The new Champions League season begins on Tuesday, September 8, and runs until January 2027. The league phase features 36 teams with each side playing eight matches against different opponents. The competition will conclude with the final in Madrid on June 5, 2027.

Several big names are in action during the opening round. Real Madrid face Inter, Manchester City travel to Porto, while Liverpool host Atletico Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain begin their campaign against Slovan Bratislava and Arsenal visit Napoli. Barcelona will also be in action against Feyenoord.

Matchday 1 fixtures

Tuesday, September 8

• AEK Athens vs LASK
• Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
• Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
• Porto vs Manchester City
• Lille vs Real Betis
• Real Madrid vs Inter

Wednesday, September 9

• Barcelona vs Feyenoord
• Stuttgart vs Viking
• Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
• Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava
• Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
• Napoli vs Arsenal

Thursday, September 10

• Fenerbahce vs Roma
• PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk
• Como vs Leipzig
• Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt
• Manchester United vs Sabah
• Slavia Prague vs Lens.

Pakistan secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup with a 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday. Nashra Sandhu bagged a six-wicket haul in what was Muneeba Ali’s 100th T20I appearance.

The Fatima Sana-led team came into the game second in Group A with two points from two matches, behind unbeaten India, while Hong Kong, China were fourth without a point. The result took Pakistan to four points and confirmed their place in the top two alongside India.

Having won the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. Muneeba opened alongside Gull Feroza, making her 100th T20I appearance. The left-handed batter had a poor outing, as she was dismissed for six by Iqra Sahar. Feroza also got out cheaply inside the powerplay.

Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar then steadied Pakistan’s innings with a 47-run partnership. Shawaal was dismissed for 47, while Sadaf Shamas and Eyman Fatima also fell cheaply. Kary Chan later dismissed Tuba Hassan for 14 off 13 as Pakistan finished on 143/8 after 20 overs.
Hong Kong, China’s chase got off to a difficult start as Fatima bowled Mariko Hill for a duck. Sadia Iqbal also picked up a wicket and bowled a maiden over.

Kary Chan offered resistance with a 47-ball 30, but Ayesha Zafar dismissed her for the eighth wicket. Sandhu then ran through the lower order, taking six wickets for just seven runs, helping Pakistan bowl Hong Kong, China out for 71 in 19 overs and complete a 72-run victory.

Hong Kong, China captain Natasha Miles reflected on her team’s campaign, saying, “It’s been super. Always playing this standard of cricket is going to test you and it’s going to get you to learn more about your game, about yourselves. It’s been a really fun campaign, exciting, and hopefully we get to come and do this a few more times.”

Miles added, “We come in as underdogs… Can we put these teams to the test? Can we cause an upset? And can we enjoy ourselves while doing it? That’s the most important thing.”

The post Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul powers Pakistan into the semi-finals appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

Wellington [New Zealand], September 8 (ANI): New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has moved from a full-time contract to a casual playing deal with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) after securing an opportunity to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) later this year, reported Cricinfo.

Chapman will remain available for New Zealand’s white-ball series against India in November before travelling to Australia for the BBL in December. His BBL franchise is yet to be confirmed.

The 32-year-old has joined Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert among New Zealand players on casual contracts, a category that allows them to pursue opportunities in the BBL during the New Zealand home summer.

“I’m thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support now and throughout my career," Chapman said, according to Cricinfo.

“The upcoming India series is one all us players are really excited for, and I’m committed wholeheartedly to performing in that series."

Chapman’s BBL commitment comes at a time when the competition overlaps with New Zealand’s Test tour of Australia. However, the left-hander has not played first-class cricket since 2024 and has never represented the Black Caps in a Test.

He was called into New Zealand’s Test squad for the tour of India in 2024, while earlier this year he requested not to be considered for Test ranking when NZC finalised its initial contract list.

Chapman’s departure from the full-time contract list has opened a place for fast bowler Matt Fisher, who has been elevated to the central contract list.

New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said the country’s demanding Test schedule against India, Australia and Sri Lanka made strengthening their pace-bowling depth a priority.

“With the heavy schedule of cricket coming up, notably the Test matches against India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, we know we’ll need good depth in our fast-bowling stocks to give the Black Caps the best chance of success," he said. “Matt is someone able to bowl that express pace which is extremely valuable to the balance of any side, so we’re excited to have him on the central contract list."

Fisher has represented New Zealand in one Test, against Zimbabwe in 2025, besides playing three ODIs and one T20I.

Chapman will now turn his attention to the India series before beginning his latest stint in the BBL, while NZC continue to manage their resources ahead of a busy international schedule. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)