Arsenal visit Mansfield, Man City at Newcastle in FA Cup fifth round
Arsenal will visit League One Mansfield Town, while Manchester City travel to Newcastle United in a mouth-watering all-Premier League tie following the FA Cup fifth round draw on Monday, Reuters reported.
Third-tier Mansfield stunned top-flight strugglers Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday and have been rewarded with a clash against 14-times winners and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola's City face Newcastle in a repeat of one of this season's League Cup semi-finals, while Premier League bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers host Liverpool, according to Reuters.
Barcelona stunned by Girona 2-1 to leave Real Madrid top of LaLiga
Barcelona were stunned by Girona who roared back to win 2-1 at home in a breathless Catalan derby on Monday, as last season's champions failed to return to the LaLiga summit, leaving Real Madrid top of the table, Reuters reported.
Barcelona struck the woodwork twice in the first half, Raphinha hitting the post before Lamine Yamal fired a penalty against the same upright in added time after Dani Olmo was fouled inside the box.
Pau Cubarsi finally put the visitors ahead in the 59th minute, rising to head home Jules Kounde's cross from a short corner, but Girona levelled three minutes later when Thomas Lemar converted from close range after Vladyslav Vanat's cross caused confusion, according to Reuters.
England's cricketers survive Italy scare to reach World Cup Super 8 stage
An unbeaten fifty by Will Jacks and three-wicket hauls for Sam Curran and Jamie Overton steered England to a nervy 24-run win over Italy in the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday, as the twice champions progressed to the Super Eight stage, Reuters reported.
Player of the match Jacks hammered 53 off 22 balls to help England score 88 runs in the last six overs and post 202-7, their highest total of the tournament.
Italy's Ben Manenti struck a rapid 60 to keep the T20 World Cup debutants in the game, but their efforts to pull off a huge upset all but ended when Curran dismissed Grant Stewart for 45 in the 19th over and they were all out for 178, according to Reuters.
Pakistan–Nepal Friendship T20 Cricket Tournament concludes
The 11th edition of the Pakistan–Nepal Friendship T20 Cricket Tournament concluded on Sunday amidst a function at the Pakistan Embassy Plot in Kathmandu.
Held from February 7 to 15, the annual tournament featured 12 teams from various Nepali cricket clubs, along with the Pakistan Embassy Team.
Since 2014, the event has been organized each year to celebrate the shared love of cricket between Pakistan and Nepal and to support young players.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, Abrar H. Hashmi, and special guests presented the trophies, medals, and cash prizes to the winning team, top performers and tournament officials, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu.
Baluwatar Cricket Academy won the tournament and received the winning trophy and cash prize. The Pakistan Embassy Team secured the runner-up position.
In his remarks, Iqbal Haider, Counsellor (Political & Education), highlighted Pakistan Embassy’s sustained efforts to promote cricket at the grassroots level, noting the tournament’s role in nurturing emerging talent in Nepal.
In his closing address, Ambassador Abrar Hashmi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening youth engagement and sporting exchanges between the two countries.
He announced that the 12th edition of the tournament in 2027 will expand to participation of 16 teams, according to the statement.
The Ambassador congratulated all participating teams, particularly the winning team, and thanked Ambassadors, distinguished guests, supporting partners IME Global Bank and Filli Cafe; broadcasting partners Action TV and Dish Home Media Network for live coverage that reached audiences across Nepal and beyond.
