Sports

I-League: Real Kashmir Maintains Title Race Momentum with 2-1 Victory Against Aizawl

Published

11 months ago

March 11, 2025

Real Kashmir FC edged closer to the top of the I-League 2024-25 standings with a gritty 2-1 victory over Aizawl FC, who are battling against relegation, at the TRC Turf Ground in Srinagar on Sunday.

This marks Real Kashmir’s fifth consecutive home win and their fourth in the last five matches, bringing their total to 32 points across 18 games and placing them just two points behind both Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi. With only four matches remaining, the title race is poised for a thrilling finish. In contrast, Aizawl’s defeat left them in 11th place with 16 points, one point shy of SC Bengaluru.

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Senegalese striker Karim Samb gave the Snow Leopards an early lead before Lalrinzuala equalized for Aizawl with his ninth goal of the season. Brazilian substitute Paulo Cezar netted the decisive goal for the hosts, who also managed to save a penalty late in the match to secure all three points.

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The match began with both teams pushing hard, and early on, both goalkeepers were tested with routine saves. Slowly, Real Kashmir took control of possession and pressured their opponents. In the 21st minute, Aizawl almost scored an own goal when Samuel Lalmuanpuia, attempting to clear an Ocran Idan corner, flicked his header just wide of the far post.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 31st minute due to a defensive lapse by Aizawl. Karim Samb seized the opportunity, charged into the box, and calmly slotted the ball past Md Rafique Ali Sardar for his fifth goal of the season.

With Aizawl’s high defensive line, Real Kashmir frequently attempted long balls to their wing players. In the 37th minute, right-back Shahid Nazir intercepted one such pass and burst into the box, but his narrow-angle shot went straight at Sardar, who deflected it out.

Shortly after, Nazir was back in defensive action and cleared a low cross from Lalrinzuala that threatened to reach Lalbiakdika. However, he sustained an injury in the process and was substituted by Basit Ahmed Bhat at halftime.

Aizawl came out stronger in the second half and found their equalizer in the 58th minute, albeit from a goalkeeping blunder. Laltlanzova cut in from the left and shot directly at Mohd Arbaz, who spilled the save, allowing Lalrinzuala—who is the league’s top Indian scorer—to tap in from close range and level the match.

The game became more balanced thereafter, with both sides nearing another goal but ultimately lacking in finishing. For Real Kashmir, Mohammad Inam’s cross found substitute Paulo Cézar, who headed agonizingly wide from six yards out. On the other end, Lalrinzuala set up an unmarked Lalbiakdia, but he blazed his shot over the bar.

Finally, Paulo Cezar found the net in the 77th minute, scoring the match-winner. Basit set him up with a low cross into the six-yard box, and the Brazilian converted from close range, making it 2-1.

However, the drama wasn’t over. Just five minutes later, left-back Mohd Aqib handled the ball in the box, prompting referee Crystal John to award a penalty. Lalrinzuala stepped up, aiming to reach double digits for the season, but shot down the middle as Arbaz, who had dived left, saved the penalty with his trailing foot. The 19-year-old celebrated exuberantly, savoring the redemption after his earlier mistake.

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Sports

T20 World Cup | Pakistan Edge Past Netherlands in a Close Contest

Published

10 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Colombo: The T20 World Cup began today with an exciting match between Pakistan and the Netherlands. Pakistan secured a narrow three-wicket victory despite a strong bowling performance. However, the top-order batters failed to deliver. With this win, Pakistan made a positive start to the 10th edition of the tournament.

After losing the toss, the Netherlands batted first at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The team was bowled out for 147 runs in 19.5 overs. Pakistan chased the modest target and scored 148 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 19.3 overs.

Pakistan started aggressively, but the Netherlands slowed their progress. Pakistan lost four wickets for 98 runs. Soon, they were in trouble at 114 for seven. Faheem Ashraf played a crucial role at the end and guided the team to victory.

For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan scored 47 runs, while Saim Ayub added 24 runs. Faheem Ashraf contributed an important 29 runs. The rest of the batters failed to score big. Star batter Babar Azam disappointed fans by scoring only 15 runs off 18 balls.

Earlier, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards scored 37 runs. Bas de Leede made 30 runs, Colin Ackermann added 20, and Michael Levitt scored 24 runs. The remaining batters were dismissed for low scores.

Sports

India Clinch Record Sixth Under-19 World Cup Title

Published

14 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: India defeated England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 final at the Harare Sports Club. The victory marked India’s sixth title, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

India batted first and posted a massive total of 411 for 9 in 50 overs. The innings was powered by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a record-breaking 175 runs off just 80 balls. His knock included 15 fours and 15 sixes and became the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final.

Suryavanshi also shared a crucial 142-run partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who scored 53 runs. Their strong batting display helped India set a daunting target of 412 for England.

England tried to fight back in the chase, with Caleb Falconer scoring 115 and Ben Dawkins adding 66. However, the team was eventually bowled out for 311, handing India a comfortable victory.

Suryavanshi was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for his historic performance. The triumph once again highlighted India’s dominance in youth cricket on the global stage.

Sports

Storm in the First Over: RCB Create New WPL Record

Published

3 weeks ago

January 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

Royal Challengers Bengaluru created history in the Women’s Premier League by scoring the highest number of runs in the first over of a match. RCB scored a massive 23 runs in the opening over, setting a new WPL record.

This historic moment took place during the match against Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Gujarat Giants bowler Renuka Singh Thakur conceded 23 runs in the first over, making it the most expensive opening over in WPL history.

Renuka began the over with a wide delivery. The ball went past the wicketkeeper and crossed the boundary, resulting in five runs. RCB batter Grace Harris then took charge of the over. She smashed four consecutive boundaries, putting the Gujarat Giants under pressure.

During the over, Renuka Singh bowled two more wides, adding extra runs to the total. On the final delivery of the over, Grace Harris struck another boundary. This completed a dramatic and record-breaking first over for RCB.

With this, Renuka Singh Thakur recorded the most expensive first over ever bowled in the Women’s Premier League. The previous record was held by Tanuja Kanwar. She had conceded 21 runs in the first over while playing for Gujarat Giants against Mumbai Indians in the 2023 season.

In the same match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru batted first and put up a strong total. RCB scored 182 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. The team showed aggressive batting throughout the innings.

Gujarat Giants chased the target but failed to keep up with the required run rate. They were bowled out for 150 runs in 18.5 overs. As a result, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the match by 32 runs.

This victory strengthened RCB’s position in the tournament and added a historic achievement to the Women’s Premier League records.