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Suryavanshi, 14, makes history with List A century

Reuters

Indian teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history when he became the youngest player to score a century in men’s List A cricket.

Aged 14 years and 272 days, he smashed his way to three figures off just 36 balls in Bihar’s Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Arunachal Pradesh.

Suryavanshi then broke South Africa great AB de Villiers ‘ 64-ball record for the fastest 150 in men’s List A cricket, reaching the milestone in 59 deliveries, before being dismissed for 190 off 84 balls.

His knock included 16 fours and 15 sixes and was just his seventh List A game since making his debut in December 2024.

This is the latest achievement in a record-breaking year for Suryavanshi, who first shot to global fame in April when he smashed his first ball in the Indian Premier League for six.

He then became the youngest player to hit a century in men’s T20s when he made a 35-ball hundred for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans.

It was also the second-fastest century in IPL history behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball ton in 2013.

In July, he struck the fastest recorded century in a youth one-day international, making 143 from 78 balls as India beat England by 55 runs at Worcester.

He took 52 balls to reach three figures, bettering Kamran Ghulam’s 53-ball effort for Pakistan against England in 2013.

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Australia’s NSW passes tough anti-protest, gun laws after Bondi attack

In response to the mass shooting in Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 fatalities, the state of New South Wales (NSW) will have the strictest gun laws in Australia as well as extensive new restrictions on free speech.

The state’s legislative assembly on Wednesday morning, less than two weeks after the attack on a Jewish celebration, approved new laws that appear to restrict speech in line with Palestinians.

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Notably, Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 prohibits the public from displaying symbols of prohibited organizations for up to three months following a terrorism declaration.

No public assemblies can be permitted in designated areas, including by a court, where their conduct or presence obstructs traffic, raises fears, harasses, or intimidates, according to a statement from the NSW government.

The sweeping changes would involve a review of “hate speech,” according to NSW Premier Chris Minns and other top officials, who also cited the words “globalise the Intifada” as examples of speech that would be prohibited. The phrase is frequently used in solidarity with Palestinians who oppose Israeli military occupation and the expansion of illegal settlements since the 1980s.

According to Minns, “our state has changed following the horrific anti-Semitic attack on Bondi Beach and our laws must change too” despite the fact that the new laws involved “very significant changes that not everyone will agree with.”

He added that “calming a combustible situation” would be helped by new gun laws, which would outlaw some types of guns from farmers.

Constitutional challenge

Before the final vote on the legislation, three pro-Palestinian, indigenous, and Jewish advocacy groups in NSW announced on Tuesday that they would “filing a constitutional legal challenge” against the draconian anti-protest laws.

In a Facebook statement, Palestine Action Group Sydney announced that it was launching the challenge in collaboration with the Jewish organization Blak Caucus and Jews Against the Occupation.

The Palestinian advocacy group claimed that the NSW government was “exploiting the horrific Bondi attack to advance a political agenda that suppresses political dissent and criticism of Israel, and curtails democratic freedoms by saying, “These outrageous laws will grant NSW Police sweeping powers to effectively ban protests.”

More than 100 000 people marched over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in protest of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza just months after a court overturned a government’s plan to stop the peaceful protest.

In a resounding endorsement of Israel’s occupation of Gaza, Australia joined more than 145 other UN member states in recognizing Palestinian statehood in September of this year, much to the outcry of Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), tied the shooting to Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood shortly after the Bondi attack.

Netanyahu’s comments were criticized by UN special rapporteur Ben Saul, who also serves as the University of Sydney’s international law chair.

Saul advocated for a “measured response to the Bondi terrorist attack,” whose UN mandate focuses on ensuring the protection of human rights while battling terrorism.

In a social media post, Saul wrote, “Overreach makes us safer; it lets terror win.”

Honorable heroes

The people who rushed in on the day of the attack at Bondi Beach on December 14 will be honored on a special honours list, according to Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who announced on Wednesday that he plans to create a special honours list in honor of the two attackers.

According to the ABC, Ahmed al-Ahmed, an Australian-Syrian businessman, and Boris and Sofia Gurman, a local couple who attempted to stop the gunmen but were among the victims, were among those honored.

Although al-Ahmed has been widely hailed as a hero in other countries, little is known about a second Muslim man who ran in to aid, even as bystanders tackled him because he had been mistaken for an attacker.

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Interprovincial derbies so special – Izuchukwu

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As the Irish derbies prepare to take on Connacht this weekend, Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu says “pride in the province” is key.

In a second of three games against Irish rivals in a row, Richie Murphy’s side travel to the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

Following a disappointing 24-20 defeat last time against Leinster, the northern province are now looking to recover.

Meanwhile, the home team came into the match after suffering a complete defeat against Dragons.

Izuchukwu told BBC Sport NI, “Connacht away, Leinster away, and Munster at home, they are special.”

They are classy to play in, according to the author.

“It’s about having pride in the province, going there, and demonstrating what we’re about.”

Izuchukwu hasn’t played since early October because of a recurring foot injury followed by a week-long illness. He has just signed a new two-year deal with Ulster until 2028.

The second row, who is 25 years old, added that since joining the Ulster academy in 2020, both he and he have “grown up.”

Izuchukwu continued, “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, so I’m delighted to get it done and to get back to playing rugby.”

I came here in 2020 because I had few options, and they gave me a chance. I’ve made friends, developed professionally, and become a better player.

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Mozambique target historic first Afcon win in Morocco

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Former international Manuel Bucuane believes Mozambique can win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and overturn a difficult draw to reach the knockout stage.

In five of their previous attempts, the Mambas have drawn five and lost ten of their final matches, but have never advanced past the group stage.

Bucuane is confident despite the difficult task that Chiquinho Conde’s side will face in Group F against the holders Ivory Coast, five-time champions Cameroon, and a Gabon side led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The retired striker told BBC Sport Africa, “Mozambique doesn’t always play at this level, so whenever the team qualifies, it’s a big accomplishment for the country.”

“The team is expanding, and there are many promising young players. Players are demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level.

“We’re hoping to win the game for the first time or even advance to the next stage.”

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At the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, Mozambique defeated Egypt and Ghana to reach the back-to-back finals, making it their first appearance since 1998.

The team has improved since Chiquinho Conde took over (in October 2021),” said Bucuane, 52.

We have allowed naturalized players to join the national team, which is a very significant step because they are competitive and come from a different background.

“We showed glimpses of what we can accomplish in Ivory Coast.” We maintained the hope until the very end for the first time in World Cup qualifiers.

Our hope is that something will happen this time around.

Reinildo, the bearer, is the norm.

Reinildo, wearing a red and white vertical striped Sunderland shirt, visible from waist up running during a football match with big droplets of rain falling around himImages courtesy of Getty

For the first time, the squad features a Premier League regular and players who have been preparing for Europe’s elite continental club competition, which is one reason to be optimistic.

When left-back Reinildo made his Sunderland debut in August after leaving Atletico Madrid, he became the first Mozambican to make an appearance in the English Premier League.

In addition, Geny Catamo and defender Bruno Langa both played for Pafos and Sporting CP in the Champions League this year, respectively.

Reinildo’s participation in the Premier League is extremely beneficial for the nation, Bucuane said.

He actually opens the door in England while carrying the Mozambique flag.

“But we also have Bruno playing for Pafos, who also play in the Champions League, and Geny playing for Sporting, who have won the championship twice in a row.

All of these players’ gained experience is being re-introduced to the national team.

A piece of Afcon history

Manuel Bucuane, wearing a red Mozambique shirt, black shorts and black socks and red trim, attempts to control a ball while under pressure from two Nigeria players wearing an all-green kit. In the background several people are seen out of focus behind a black advertising hoardingImages courtesy of Getty

Bucuane, dubbed Tico Tico, deserves a place in the Afcon history of Mozambique.

At the 1996 South Africa tournament, he scored the first national goal of all time as the Mambas won 1-1 against Tunisia.

A defender on the left flank was denied a good strike, cutting into the box, and firing in a low right-footed effort from just outside the six-yard box was a good one as well.

“That day was special,” she said. He recalled how it was very emotional.

“It was unbelievable.” I continue to watch the game even today because I have it on tape.

It still makes me shiver. This kind of individual solo goal is not typically my style. I always finish the assists or crosses in the box, more like a tap-in player.

People in Mozambique still think of me as a legend because of those experiences.

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Japanese golf great ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki dies aged 78

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Masashi ‘Jumbo ‘ Ozaki, Japan’s most successful professional golfer, passed away at the age of 78.

Ozaki won 94 of the nation’s top 12 victories on the Japan Tour and topped the nation’s order of merit, earning the nickname Jumbo for his length off the tee.

He was inducted into the 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame after nearly 200 weeks in the top 10 of golf’s rankings.

Ozaki, according to his profile on the World Golf Hall of Fame website, “was the person who gave the game a new life to the game and his emergence spawned an unprecedented growth in the game in Japan.”

Before turning to golf, Ozaki won his first championship match at the age of 26 and his final appearance at age 55.

He and his entourage used to travel to Japan with a sushi chef when they used to play there so they could feel more at home away from their home countries and received top 10 finishes at The Open, Masters, and US Open.

In the late 1980s, Ozaki also made a comeback by singing, recording three singles on Japanese charts.

Tomoharu, Ozaki’s son, was reported to have been informed that his father had passed away after being diagnosed with colon cancer about a year ago in a statement posted on the website of the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO).

Yutaka Morohoshi, the chairman of JGTO, said, “The golf world has lost a truly great man.”

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