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England bowlers secure crucial win over Sri Lanka

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Matthew Henry

BBC Sport Journalist in Pallekele
  • 170 Comments

T20 World Cup, Super 8s Group 2, Pallekele

England 146-9 (20 overs): Salt 62 (40), Jacks 21 (14); Wellalage 3-26,

Sri Lanka 95 (16.4 overs): Shanaka 30 (24); Jacks 3-22

England won by 51 runs

A superb bowling performance breathed life into England’s T20 World Cup campaign as Harry Brook’s side beat co-hosts Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their opening match of the Super 8s phase.

England remained unconvincing with the bat in posting 146-9 but their bowlers took full advantage of a tricky surface to knock over their hosts for 95.

Jofra Archer dismissed key batter Pathum Nissanka and fellow opener Kamil Mishara but even more impressive were the three wickets for all-rounder Will Jacks inside the powerplay.

Jacks, who has struggled with the ball at times in this tournament, removed Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in consecutive deliveries and added the scalp of Dunith Wellalage as Sri Lanka crumbled to 34-5 under the pressure of a chase.

After Kamindu Mendis chipped back a catch to Liam Dawson and Dushan Hemantha hit his own wicket, Jacks combined with Tom Banton to complete a fine relay catch on the boundary to dismiss Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka’s captain and the last recognised batter, for 30.

That England’s batting remains far from perfect is pushed to another day. Jos Buttler made a tortured seven from 14 balls, Jacob Bethell fell to a wild slog and Tom Banton ran himself out.

Phil Salt’s 62 and 21 from Jacks, who was the next highest scorer in a fine all-round display, were crucial.

England play Pakistan on Tuesday and New Zealand on Friday in their remaining Super 8s matches.

Jacks delivers again for England

Salt and Jacks dragged England to a score, but Sri Lanka still appeared strong favourites at halfway. They chased 182 with two overs to spare to beat Australia on this ground in the group stage.

This surface was trickier than that one. Its sticky nature and decent turn offered assistance to the spinners and Jacks capitalised.

After conceding four from an accurate first over, Jacks got one to grip to take the leading edge of Mendis. Rathnayake charged him a ball later and was caught skying a hideous swipe.

Credit must also go to Brook, who kept Jacks in the attack for a third over which tempted Dunith Wellalage to charge and hit to mid-on – another wretched stroke.

Brook also used Archer for three consecutive overs at the start.

Archer bowled at high pace and had Nissanka, who scored a brilliant hundred against Australia, caught at deep square leg before finding the edge of Mishara.

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ECB reminds Hundred franchises of responsibilities

Matthew Henry

BBC Sport Journalist
  • 32 Comments

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has written to the eight Hundred franchises reminding them of their responsibilities around discrimination.

Earlier this week, BBC Sport reported Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by the four Indian-owned sides for next month’s Hundred auction.

Pakistan players do not play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries and that trend is reflected at IPL-owned franchises around the world.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said last year he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred and warned “clear anti-discrimination policies” were in place.

The ECB retained overall control of The Hundred when it sold stakes in the eight teams last year, though its power has been diluted with the presence of new owners.

It cannot compel teams to pick players and any accusations of discrimination would have to be backed up by clear evidence.

The ECB could refer a franchise to the cricket regulator, which can also carry out its own investigations. The governing body could also hand out its own separate punishments.

Two Pakistan internationals – Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim – appeared in last year’s tournament, which was the final edition before new investors took control.

More than 60 Pakistan players were among the 964 to sign up for the auction, which takes place on 11 and 12 March.

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Small but mighty: Colombia’s Muslim community celebrates Ramadan

Medellin, Colombia – Ziauddin Yahya Iqbal Sandoval, known to his friends as Zia, observes Ramadan with quiet conviction.

The 14-year-old was born and raised in Colombia, where Christianity remains dominant. Nearly 63 percent of the population identifies as Catholic.

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But Zia is one of an estimated 85,000 to 100,000 Muslims in Colombia, comprising less than 0.2 percent of the country’s population.

Within that community, though, is a prism of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Some of Colombia’s Muslims reflect a rich history of migration to the region. Others are converts.

“The Colombian Islamic community is a small one but enjoys more on account of its diversity,” Zia said, as he took a break from serving tea in his uncle Zaheer’s restaurant in the upscale Poblado neighbourhood of Medellin.

On the eve of Ramadan, Muslim communities in cities like Bogota and Medellin prepared for the coming festivities with decorations and prayer.

Golden, glittering letters spelled out wishes for “Ramadan Karim” — or a “generous Ramadan” — above a modest mosque in Belen, on the outskirts of Medellin.

Inside, shoes were lined neatly along the wall. In a small, square prayer room, about eight men of different ages and nationalities stood shoulder to shoulder, bowing in unison.

“The majority of those who come to the mosque are Colombians, but we see people from Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Pakistan and other Arab countries,” said Mu’tasem Abdo, the mosque’s imam who came to Medellin from Egypt four years ago.

Imam Mu’tasem Abdo speaks in his office
Imam Mu’tasem Abdo speaks about celebrating Ramadan in Colombia from his office [Arjun Harindranath/Al Jazeera]

He explained how, because Colombia’s Muslim community is relatively small, newcomers sometimes find themselves aching for the festive experience they remember from home.

“A native from a Muslim country can miss the grandeur of Ramadan as experienced back home,” Abdo explained.

Pakistani immigrant Rana Arif Mohammad remembers arriving in Colombia 23 years ago with dreams of adventuring through Latin America. But he too felt isolation as a Muslim in the country.

He settled in Medellin and founded a restaurant where he serves Pakistani and Arabic specialities in his Belen restaurant. But fellow Muslims were few and far between, and he remembers struggling to find a mosque.

“Twenty-three years ago, I met just four to five Muslims, just a few from Lebanon and Turkiye,” Mohammad said.

But Mohammad and others have observed Muslim visibility on the rise in Colombia.

In 2020, for instance, Colombia elected its first Muslim mayor in the border city of Maicao. And Mohammad explained that there are now more Islamic cultural centres and places of worship.

“Today, Medellin has five mosques,” he said, counting the ones he knows.

Restaurateur Rana Arif Mohammad speaks of the importance of Ramadan and the growth of Medellin’s Muslim community.
Restaurateur Rana Arif Mohammad speaks of the importance of Ramadan and the growth of Medellin’s Muslim community [Arjun Harindranath/Al Jazeera]

The Muslim population in Latin America first surged after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. There have been several waves of migration in the century since.

In Colombia, one of the most significant came during Lebanon’s civil war in the 1970s. The conflict triggered an exodus of nearly one million Lebanese people that included many Muslims and Christians.

Some settled in cities like Maicao, where one of the largest mosques in Latin America was built and completed in 1997.

The continued migration into Colombia has contributed to the diversity of its Muslim community.

In Bogota, Sheikh Ahmad Qurtubi speaks proudly of the range of nationalities in his jamaat, or congregation, at the Qurtubi Islamic Centre in the west of the city.

“There are people of different nationalities, approximately 10 or 15 different countries, and we find great diversity in this centre,” Qurtubi explained after delivering the Taraweeh prayer marking the first night of Ramadan.

Though there are no official statistics on the origins of Colombia’s Muslim population, Qurtubi has noticed an increase in Muslim converts.

He estimates that roughly 100 to 200 worshippers in his jamaat are new to the religion. It can be a struggle, though, to build a sense of cohesion, given the different backgrounds of the worshippers.

“The biggest challenge in Colombia is maintaining a stable community that has an impact on society and a common identity,” he said.

“In a community where most people have converted due to different circumstances that led them to Islam, it can be a little more complicated to achieve.”

Sheikh Ahmad Qurtubi leads prayers at the Al-Qurtubi Islamic Centre in Bogotá on the first night of Ramadan.
Sheikh Ahmad Qurtubi leads prayers at the Qurtubi Islamic Centre in Bogota on the first night of Ramadan [Alfie Pannell/Al Jazeera]

But Qurtubi said the diversity of his congregation has led to celebrations that embrace the spectrum of Colombia’s Muslim identity.

He described how, on each night of Ramadan, a different family volunteers to cook food for the Iftar, the breaking of the fast.

“The food options can be very varied. Why? Because it depends on each person’s culture and background,” he explained. “For example, I can offer Moroccan food, one person can offer Pakistani food, others Colombian food.”

He believes community events like Ramadan create an opportunity for Colombia’s Muslims to embrace their differences and build communal understanding.

‘I belong to Saudi Arabia’ – Ronaldo committed to Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is happy at Al-Nassr following doubts over his future at the Saudi Arabian club.

The 41-year-old Portuguese had reportedly been unhappy with how the club were being run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and missed three recent games.

He returned last week and after scoring twice in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Al-Hazem, which sent his side one point clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League, insisted he wanted to stay.

“I’m very happy,” the Portugal international told Saudi broadcaster Thmanyah. “As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia.

“It’s a country that has welcomed me very well, and my family and my friends. I’m happy here, I want to continue here.

“The most important thing is we keep pushing [for the league title], we are there at the top. We do our job, we win, make pressure, let’s see at the end of the season.”

Ronaldo moved to the Middle East in December 2022, shortly after his contract with Manchester United was terminated by mutual agreement, becoming the best-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177m.

But since his arrival, the 10-time league champions have only won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.

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Minnesota Vikings receiver Moore dies aged 25

Sean Kearns

BBC Sport

The Minnesota Vikings have paid tribute to wide receiver Rondale Moore after the 25-year-old was found dead at his home on Sunday.

Police in Moore’s hometown of New Albany, Indiana were called to a property on Saturday night, when Moore was found in a garage.

The American was transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination will take place on Sunday.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the Vikings said in a statement.

“While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings.

Moore spent three years with the Arizona Cardinals after being drawn as a second-round pick in the 2021 draft.

He joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 but a knee injury saw him miss the entire campaign, before joining the Vikings in 2025.

“While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.

“He was a humble, soft-spoken and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots.

“We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish.”

The NFL said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic passing” of Moore.

After making his NFL debut in 2021, Moore went on to make 135 catches for 1,201 yards for the Cardinals over three seasons in Arizona.

“We are devastated and heartbroken by today’s news,” the Cardinals said in a statement.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, team-mates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person.”

Former Cardinals team-mate JJ Watt said: “Can’t even begin to fathom or process this. There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”

The NFL Players Association, which is a union for players’ welfare, said: “In moments like this, we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field.

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Palestine Action activists reunited with family after granted bail

NewsFeed

Twelve Palestine Action activists, including hunger strikers, who were charged with breaking into the British site of an Israeli-linked defence firm, reunited with their families outside London’s Central Criminal Court after they were granted bail on Friday.