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Virat Kohli hits ton in Dubai as India push Pakistan to brink of Champions Trophy exit

DUBAI: Star batsman Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100 to lead India to a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday and push the title holders to the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy. Chasing 242 for victory, Kohli hit a boundary to seal the match with 45 balls to spare and register his 51st ODI ton after an innings which also saw him pass 14,000 runs in one-day international cricket. Kohli, 36, removed his helmet and raised his bat to the Dubai International Stadium crowd after taking India closer to the semifinals with two wins in two outings in Group A. Pakistan have lost both their matches and will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to have any chance of staying in contention for a last-four spot. The top two teams from the two groups will make the semifinals. “My job was clear — to control the middle overs, not take risks against the spinners and take on the pacers,” said Kohli. “I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs. I have a decent understanding of my game. “It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts.

Nottm Forest felled by Isak as Newcastle bolster top four bid

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle blew Nottingham Forest away with four goals in 11 minutes as Alexander Isak’s double inspired a vital 4-3 win in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four. Eddie Howe’s side recovered from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s early opener to run riot with a first half goal spree at St. James’ Park on Sunday. Lewis Miley bagged Newcastle’s equalizer, sparking an astonishing spell of dominance as Jacob Murphy put the hosts ahead. Isak netted twice in less than two minutes to reach 50 Premier League goals and leave Forest in tatters. The Sweden striker has 19 league goals this season, taking him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in second place behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in this season’s scoring chart. Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates scored for Forest in the second half, but it was too late for an incredible escape act. After three defeats in their previous four league games, fifth-placed Newcastle are back in the hunt to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish. The Magpies are behind fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference, with third-placed Forest just three points above them. “I’m trying to control my thoughts and stay positive.

Pakistan win toss, bat against India in key Champions Trophy clash

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat in a blockbuster Champions Trophy clash against India on Sunday as his side looks to stay alive in the tournament. A full house was expected for the eagerly awaited Group A match at the 25,000-capacity Dubai International Stadium, India’s home for the 50-over tournament after they refused to tour Pakistan due to political tensions. Defending champions Pakistan lost the tournament opener to New Zealand and another defeat will virtually end their chances of making the semifinals. Imam-ul-Haq comes into the Pakistan side for Fakhar Zaman, who was injured in the opening match and is out of the tournament. India had a hard-fought win in their first match against Bangladesh and come into the key clash unchanged. India captain Rohit Sharma said it “doesn’t really matter, they (Pakistan) won the toss, so we’ll bowl first.” The top two teams from the two groups will make the semifinals. Teams India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav. Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed. Umpires: Paul Reiffel (AUS), Richard Illingworth (ENG) TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG) Match Referee: David Boon (AUS)

Doncic dominates as Lakers rout Nuggets, Suns gore Bulls

LOS ANGELES, United States: Luka Doncic delivered a dominant 32-point performance as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped the Denver Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak on Saturday with an impressive 123-100 victory on the road in Colorado. Doncic, playing only his fourth game for the Lakers since his blockbuster trade from Dallas, was in scintillating form as the Lakers conjured a statement wire-to-wire win over their Western Conference rivals. The Slovenian superstar was the standout performer on a night when the Lakers saw four players finish with 20 points or more for the first time this season. Doncic finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while LeBron James backed him with 25 points. Austin Reaves added 23 points and Rui Hachimura 21. “I’m starting to feel a little bit more like myself — that’s why I was smiling the whole game,” Doncic told ESPN afterward. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement and this is only my fourth game.

NBA Lakers Sign Ukraine 7-Footer Alex Len To Join Luka Doncic, LeBron James

Ukrainian center Alex Len has signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA club announced on Tuesday, after an earlier trade for Mark Williams fell through. Len, a 31-year-old seven-footer (2.13m) in his 12th NBA campaign, joined the Lakers, his sixth NBA club, only three days after being released by Washington. The Lakers had swung a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for US seven-footer Williams at last week's NBA trade deadline, but the big man reportedly failed a physical and the trade was rescinded.

NBA Lakers Sign Ukraine 7-Footer Alex Len To Join Luka Doncic, LeBron James

Ukrainian center Alex Len has signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA club announced on Tuesday, after an earlier trade for Mark Williams fell through. Len, a 31-year-old seven-footer (2.13m) in his 12th NBA campaign, joined the Lakers, his sixth NBA club, only three days after being released by Washington. The Lakers had swung a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for US seven-footer Williams at last week's NBA trade deadline, but the big man reportedly failed a physical and the trade was rescinded.

Fresh off a World Series win, the Los Angeles Dodgers look even more formidable in 2025

GLENDALE, Arizona: Yoshinobu Yamamoto let loose a few fastballs and some nasty breaking balls during a bullpen session while manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior stood a few steps to each side of the pitcher, smiling as the ball popped into the mitt of catcher Will Smith.

Bellingham strikes late for Real Madrid in 3-2 win at Man City in Champions League 1st leg playoff

MANCHESTER, England: Jude Bellingham struck in stoppage time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 victory in its Champions League playoff against Manchester City on Tuesday. Bellingham sealed a stunning comeback for holder Madrid in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium after City had led 2-1 late on. Former City academy player Brahim Diaz had leveled the game at 2-2 in the 86th minute before Bellingham’s late winner silenced the home crowd. City had looked like taking a lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu next week after two goals from Erling Haaland. His penalty in the 80th had given City the edge after Kylian Mbappe had canceled out the Norwegian’s first half goal after the break. Paris Saint-Germain took a big step toward the Champions League round of 16 by beating Brest 3-0 in a first-leg playoff match. Ousmane Dembélé scored twice and Vitinha converted a penalty to put the French champion in control. Having made hard work of the new-look league phase of the tournament, it would take a major upset in the second leg in Paris to deny PSG a place in the next round. The Qatar-backed PSG is one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, but was in danger of early elimination before securing the lifeline of a playoff by finishing 15th in the 36-team league. Perfect 10 Dembélé’s double saw him score for a 10th game in a row, with 18 goals during that streak. It was from his shot that led to PSG’s 21st-minute penalty after Pierre Lees-Melou handled in the area.

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Los Angeles Lakers Sport News

Virat Kohli hits ton in Dubai as India push Pakistan to brink of Champions Trophy exit

Nottm Forest felled by Isak as Newcastle bolster top four bid

Pakistan win toss, bat against India in key Champions Trophy clash

Doncic dominates as Lakers rout Nuggets, Suns gore Bulls

NBA Lakers Sign Ukraine 7-Footer Alex Len To Join Luka Doncic, LeBron James

NBA Lakers Sign Ukraine 7-Footer Alex Len To Join Luka Doncic, LeBron James

Fresh off a World Series win, the Los Angeles Dodgers look even more formidable in 2025

Bellingham strikes late for Real Madrid in 3-2 win at Man City in Champions League 1st leg playoff