I Dig Sports
Afro-Asia Cup set to be revived after almost two decades
The revival of the Afro-Asia Cup - a series of white-ball matches played between an Asian XI and an African XI - is on the cards according to the Africa Cricket Association (ACA). The continental body held its AGM on Saturday, where it appointed a six-person interim committee to restructure the ACA and increase the number of competitive opportunities for players on the continent.
"The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organisation, and the appetite is huge from both ends," Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket Chair, said at a press conference. "We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived."
While ACC representatives did not respond to ESPNcricinfo at the time of publication about the return of the Afro-Asia Cup, it is learned that no formal request has been made to the ACC, neither has any discussion around this taken place at the body's recent meeting in Malaysia. In 2005, the three-match ODI series was shared 1-1 after a rained-out final game, and in 2007, the Asia XI won all three matches.
The 2005 Asia squad was captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq and included Rahul Dravid, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble while the 2007 Asia XI squad included MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar alongside Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar. At the time, relations between India and Pakistan were warm on and off the cricket field, and the two countries played regular bilateral cricket. The 2008 Mumbai attacks changed that equation, however, and the sides have played one white-ball bilateral series since, in 2012-13. They have only played in ICC events otherwise, with Pakistan traveling to India on a couple of occasions: India have not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
The ACA is also planning to launch a "mini version of the IPL," according to CEO Cassim Suliman, called the Africa Premier League, though it remains in the planning phase. "We are planning to, after board approval, bring the Africa Premier League. That's what we're busy with at the moment on the sponsorship. Once that comes together, we will go to the board, the board will okay it, and then we will take it from there," he said. "It's the mini vision of the IPL. So we're taking that concept of the IPL and driving that concept to ensure that everybody benefits in that aspect. As far as where we're going to play, the board will decide. We're going to look at facilities that are going to warrant spectator viewership. It's still at the initial stage. Obviously, we want to do things right the first time to make sure we get the ball rolling on it. But the board will decide exactly who's hosting and from there, we'll take it to them from there. It's going to be like the IPL format, but with a lower status and then we'll grow it from there."
There is currently only one franchise tournament in Africa, South Africa's SA20, but Mukuhlani was hopeful that a South African franchise could be involved in the Africa Premier League and committed Zimbabwean players to the proposed tournament. "The participation of South Africa and Zimbabwe gives context to the competition, and there is also the experience that the upcoming teams get from playing alongside players from South Africa and Zimbabwe," he said. "So yes, we will participate."
Bowles defends Buccaneers not going for two
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles defended his decision to kick an extra point and not try a two-point conversion after his team scored a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in regulation in Monday night's eventual 30-24 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We wanted to get into overtime with the wet conditions on the field, we thought we had to go into overtime instead of going for two. We had our shots. We lost the game," Bowles said.
The Bucs surrendered a 5-yard touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins with 4:20 to go in regulation that, with the point after, gave the Chiefs a 24-17 lead. After the teams traded quick three-and-outs, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield led an 11-play drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ryan Miller.
But instead of going for two, which could have put Tampa Bay ahead by one point with 27 seconds remaining, out came Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin.
"We went for one," Bowles said. "We took our shots. We had our chances all game. We just lost the game. It didn't come down to that."
In Week 9, four teams that scored touchdowns in the last two minutes of regulation decided to kick extra points to tie their games. ESPN Analytics modeling agreed with the decision to kick the extra point in all four instances, but all four of those teams lost.
The Miami Dolphins were tied with 1:38 left and then lost on a 61-yard field goal in regulation at the Buffalo Bills. The New England Patriots tied their game with no time left and then lost on a 25-yard field goal in overtime at the Tennessee Titans. The Seattle Seahawks tied with 0:51 left and then lost on a 39-yard touchdown pass in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams. And then the Bucs lost on a 2-yard touchdown by Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.
Asked about putting the ball in the defense's hands, Bowles said, "We were going to take our punches. We were playing OK defensively. We thought we were moving the ball offensively. We thought we had a good shot in overtime. We didn't make the plays."
The Chiefs improved to 8-2 in overtime games, including the playoffs, since 2018, when Patrick Mahomes became the full-time starter, which is the best record of any team in that span.
For the Bucs, this was their second overtime loss in prime time on the road this season in which the defense surrendered a touchdown on the first possession. The Bucs also lost to the Atlanta Falcons 36-30 in overtime on Thursday night in Week 5. Since 2012, when the NFL adopted the current regular-season overtime rules, there have been only four teams to lose multiple prime-time games in overtime in the same season, according to ESPN Research: the 2015 Cowboys, 2021 Chargers, 2022 Broncos and 2024 Buccaneers (all 0-2).
"It's tough. You don't take anything from it but a loss," Bowles said. "And we can't get used to losing, and that's the biggest thing. We're not going to get used to losing. We had some good plays. We took our swings. They connected more than we did. We fought, but it wasn't good enough, so we got to get ready next week for another one."
The Bucs have won the NFC South title the past three seasons, and prior to that, they defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV as a wild card, but they now have lost three straight games, slipping to 4-5 and below .500 for the first time this season.
It started with their 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago in which receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both were injured. Miller was called up from the practice squad shortly after, and Monday night's touchdown was the first of his NFL career. However, Mayfield was missing a third receiver against the Chiefs in rookie Jalen McMillan, who was deemed not healthy enough to play because of a hamstring injury.
Mayfield showed a bit of frustration when the Bucs lost the coin toss in overtime.
"Against a team with an offense like that, you can only give them so many chances," Mayfield said. "They win the coin toss, and that's what happens. I'm proud of our guys on offense that stepped up. Coach had a good message ... 'We're that close. Don't get used to losing but just turn this thing around. We've got a home game next week against an NFC opponent, and we've got to find a way to win. That's it.'"
Mayfield said nearly knocking off the NFL's only unbeaten team on the road was no consolation prize.
"Right now, it's about us," Mayfield said. "It doesn't matter who we play. We need to focus on doing our job and finding ways to win. That's all that matters. We just have to stop the skid. We have to look at the things of why we lost when we look at the tape and go from there."
The break also allowed Elias to reflect on the pressures of international rugby.
"It definitely has its moments but they are also enjoyable, which is what I lost sight of for a while," said Elias.
"As you get older you start to realise how important it is to enjoy the process at the same time, even though it may be difficult."
Elias made his senior Wales debut as a replacement against Tonga aged 22 in 2017, having started his Scarlets career four years earlier.
"I'm 29 now, nearly 30 and it feels like in the blink of an eye I've gone from being that 21-year-old. It's like, where have those years gone?
"Another click of the fingers and my career will be done and I don't want to be looking back with regrets, or wondering whether I should have enjoyed things more.
"That's something I'm concentrating on now also."
The Carmarthen-born hooker has seen those external pressures grow over his decade in rugby.
"The social media side of things is a lot bigger now, everyone seems to be on there and got something to say," said Elias.
"I'm not on any social media now, probably for the last couple of years and that is something I've done myself.
"I feel a lot more productive being off it and most of the stuff you read, good or bad, it makes no difference to me.
"I know if I've had a good or a bad game. The coaches and people, who are important, know, so I wouldn't need to hear it from anywhere else."
Eye-opening lessons, special encounters - Sexton on All Blacks
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Friday, 8 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds, and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
"They reflect my career in a lot of ways, they've given me some great moments."
From coming on for the last 10 minutes of a 66-28 defeat in New Plymouth, to a gut-wrenching World Cup quarter-final defeat in his last game as a professional, Johnny Sexton's experience against the All Blacks started and finished on particularly sour notes.
In between, however, were some of his most cherished experiences on a rugby pitch.
Sexton was the key creative cog in Joe Schmidt's side that ended Ireland's 111-year wait for victory over New Zealand, a 2016 win made all the sweeter by the fact he felt his missed penalty in 2013 had contributed to a galling last-gasp defeat when history appeared to be on the cards.
Sexton was still in the 10 jersey two years later when Ireland toasted a first home victory over the game's most famous side, and he was captain in 2022 when, under the stewardship of Andy Farrell, they won a first Test series away to New Zealand.
From the start to finish of his distinguished international career, Sexton saw the rugby relationship between the two nations change utterly. Indeed, before Friday's meeting in Dublin, the past 10 encounters have been evenly split at five wins apiece.
"I played in New Zealand a lot of times, especially when you consider how few times I played in South Africa, or went to South Africa, never when I was playing rugby," Ireland's record points scorer told BBC Sport NI.
"The amount of times I played in New Zealand was huge. They reflect my story in many ways, in terms of how the early days playing against them were real eye-opening lessons - how good they were, the intensity they played at, how fit they were and the lessons that I took from that.
"Being able to come full circle, to be lucky enough to be part of a team that beat them on a few occasions with Ireland and the [British and Irish] Lions, that was very special.
"There's been special encounters and facing the haka has been up there with some of my favourite memories playing international rugby."
England prop Dan Cole says he was surprised by the timing of Joe Marler's retirement from international rugby because "his close friend" was closing in on 100 caps.
Marler, 34, fought back from breaking his foot against New Zealand in July to make England's Autumn Nations Series squad.
But the Harlequins prop withdrew for personal reasons last week before announcing his retirement on Sunday, finishing his England career with 95 caps.
"Did I think he would go last Sunday? No," Cole said.
"But we both knew in the end, the older we're getting, it was coming at some point.
"I thought part of him wanted 100 caps but unfortunately he hurt his foot in that New Zealand Test.
"The good thing is he has gone out on his own terms, so he's alive, well and healthy."
Despite not featuring in Saturday's opening defeat by the All Blacks,, Marler made headlines by saying the New Zealand haka was "ridiculous" and needs "binning".
In his England retirement statement on social media, Marler revealed how Cole was the first team-mate he told, that the pair hugged and exchanged an "I love you" before Marler said "I am done".
Cole, 37, said he was missing his "good friend" in camp, but added the squad needed to "keep moving forward".
The Leicester player told BBC Sport: "It was great, having a close friend in the team.
"We came from different backgrounds and are different people in regards to how quiet I am, with Joe the opposite.
"We have similar values, rugby-wise and off the field, which is why we have become friends.
"I have learned a lot from him - that it is OK to have a personality and offer an opinion, and not think too much about the consequences of what you are doing, and I hope he has maybe learned something like self-control from me."
"I was lucky to bowl to him in a Test over in India a couple of years ago but it'll be nice to play against him in our backyard," he said. "He's a world-class player but someone I think we can get on top of pretty early and hopefully stay on top of him for the majority of the summer."
Like a number of Australian players, Boland noted India's 3-0 loss against New Zealand but cautioned how much to read into it. The visiting quicks did the damage in the first Test before the spinners took over in Pune and Mumbai to secure a famous whitewash.
"There's so much more bounce here, more seam," Boland said. "The way they'll structure their team will be completely different to what you see over in India."
"I think sometimes when you play that practice match, we're travelling with a squad of 19 players and it was only three days that were allotted to us," Rohit said. "And I don't know how much workload we can get done in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared.
"So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so that is something that, we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it's just about spending time in the middle."
Boland averages 12.21 in Tests at home and has previously admitted he expected to get an opportunity last season only be denied by the durability of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, aided by none of the matches going five days.
He has been working his way back from injury early this season after a county deal with Durham was aborted due to a heel problem and he got through 28 overs in the Sheffield Shield against New South Wales last month. Boland said he was under a "little bit of restriction" in terms of his overs in that fixture but didn't expect to be held back for Australia A.
"It felt like a long six months between games," he said. "Remember being out on the ground in the Shield game and was just really happy to be back playing cricket. Haven't had too many breaks for injury throughout my career so was different going through all the rehab.
"Luckily [we've] got really good physios and support staff at Cricket Victoria. So lucky I could lean on them, because few times I was like, '[are] any of these things getting better? But it's all come good now and feeling really good."
Short: Pakistan may have to change tactics in Adelaide
Pakistan's insistence on bowling short on a fast and bouncy MCG pitch almost produced a famous heist, but the tactic may not be as successful in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval.
While the approach clearly shook up the Australian batters, with Rauf accounting for Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive deliveries as he ramped up his speed, those fireworks are unlikely to be replicated at the traditionally batting-friendly Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Bouncers can prove risky on a ground renowned for its short boundaries square of the wicket in a major contrast to the vast expanses of the MCG.
After making just one run before top-edging Shaheen Shah Afridi, Short will relish returning to his BBL home ground where he has dominated in recent seasons for Adelaide Strikers.
"It's going to feel quite comfortable down there opening the batting, that's for sure," Short said. "It's my favourite ground in the world to play at, and I've played there quite a number of times, so I should be pretty familiar with it."
"I came into this series with high aspirations to try to cement my spot in the team," Short said. "I'm going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some stage."
Fraser-McGurk, who also has his eyes set on the vacant opener's spot, made 16 off 14 balls in a whirlwind befitting his ultra-aggressive style. While there may be some belief that Short should rein in his approach to complement his brash opening partner, Australia's hierarchy are backing all-out attack at the top of the order
"The coaching staff give us both the licence to be free and play our shots," Short said. "Batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes [off] then I let him go and I do my thing.
"It's similar with Jake. It probably didn't come off last night for him, like myself, but if he is seeing and hitting them well then I probably won't say much to him and just let him go. And just focus more on myself.
"The more important thing in a partnership is that if he is struggling a bit then working through whatever the issues are. It's really exciting to bat with him...nice to watch from the other end."
Mahomes shakes off 'scary' injury, lifts KC to 8-0
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For a moment Monday night, Patrick Mahomes said he feared the worst. He had to be helped to his feet after injuring his left ankle in the fourth quarter and for a few seconds wondered whether he would be able to finish the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Definitely scary,'' Mahomes said later. "I think it hurt more just because it's the same ankle I rolled last week, so it scared me a little bit.
"When you don't know exactly what happens and you get that sharp pain, you always fear the worst.''
Everything worked out for Mahomes, who was able to stay in the game and threw another touchdown pass to put the Chiefs ahead. After the Bucs scored to send the game into overtime, Mahomes engineered a 10-play drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from Kareem Hunt to give the Chiefs a 30-24 win and an 8-0 record.
Mahomes injured his right ankle in a 2022 playoff victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Andy Reid pulled him from that contest over protests from Mahomes and wouldn't allow him to return until he had gone for an X-ray.
This time, Reid again told Mahomes he was coming out of the game.
"I thought he was joking,'' Mahomes said. "I was like, 'Come on, we're not doing this again.'"
Reid went as far as telling backup quarterback Carson Wentz to get ready.
"He's a competitor,'' Reid said of Mahomes. "I told him I was going to take him out, and he probably wanted to fight me, so he's a tough kid.''
Reid relented after Mahomes said the injury wasn't as serious as the one from the 2022 postseason. Mahomes also was examined by doctors and did some mobility tests on the sideline.
Mahomes said he would be ready to play in Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes was injured on a noncontact play when throwing a touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine.
"I was obviously running for the goal line and was kind of committed to running the football and at the last second [passed to] Samaje, and so I kind of awkwardly rolled the ankle a little bit,'' Mahomes said. "You feel the pain, and that scares you. I've dealt with ankles before, but I just kind of laid there, and as time went on, the pain subsided.
"I just kind of got back to it and got back moving again and felt comfortable going out there."
"The one in the playoffs a couple of years ago was a little bit of how I got tackled," he explained. "It got stuck, and it hurt a lot more. [This time] I could move, I could still have mobility in my ankle, and I still do after this game. I'll probably get a little swelling tomorrow. But with a short week, you go in there and take care of it and be prepared to play next week.''
George has 15 points in 'rusty' debut for Sixers
PHOENIX -- Paul George is back, this time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
He scored 15 points in his return from a left knee injury Monday night and called his performance in his regular-season debut "rusty."
"The good thing about it is I was able to go out there and compete, free of any thoughts of my body holding up. I felt completely fine," George said after playing 32 minutes in a 118-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
George was 4-of-14 from the field, missing a potential tying basket in the closing seconds -- and he said after the game that he thought the 76ers were down one point instead of two. He was in early foul trouble and didn't score in the first quarter, and committed seven of Philadelphia's 14 turnovers.
But he got going and finished with five rebounds and four assists.
"As the game was going, I felt great," the nine-time All-Star said. "My knee was better than expected. I wanted to play through that, build the endurance up, help me through the next couple of games."
George, 34, signed a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia after five seasons with the LA Clippers.
Before the game, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said center Joel Embiid, who also has not played because of a sore left knee, "is doing a little bit better, making steps in the right direction." The coach said the 7-foot center will be re-evaluated Tuesday. Philadelphia's next game is Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Chiefs survive OT, Mahomes injury scare to beat Bucs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have found their way to 8-0 this season by winning in some improbable ways. Perhaps none of them more unlikely than their 30-24 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football" at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs trailed by seven points in the fourth quarter but rallied with two touchdown passes by Patrick Mahomes, who injured his ankle while throwing the first one. He returned for the next offensive possession to lead a 15-play drive that consumed more than eight minutes. Baker Mayfield led the Bucs on a touchdown drive to tie the score in the final minute of regulation, pushing the game to overtime, where the Chiefs scored a touchdown on the first possession for an automatic win.
DeAndre Hopkins was big for the Chiefs after their recent trade for the wide receiver with the Tennessee Titans. In his second game with Kansas City, Hopkins caught eight passes for 86 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:
Kansas City Chiefs (8-0)
QB breakdown: Mahomes got his first completion of 20 or more air yards since Week 4 on a 35-yard pass to Hopkins in the first half. But that was Mahomes' only completion of more than 20 air yards. He was also sacked four times.
DeAndre Hopkins hauls in a great catch in double coverage, and a few plays later, he gets his first touchdown as a Chief.
Most surprising performance: Kareem Hunt was having a tough game with 16 rushing yards on seven carries in the first half. But he rushed seven times for 47 yards on Kansas City's tying touchdown drive to make it 17-17 with 14:14 left. He finished with 27 carries for 106 yards, including the winning score.
Describe the game in two words: Gritty win. The Chiefs and their struggling offense looked to be in trouble trailing by seven points in the fourth quarter. But they cobbled together two touchdown drives, one with a hobbled Mahomes after the ankle injury to take a 24-17 lead before capping off a win in OT. -- Adam Teicher
Next game: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)
Despite being without their top three wide receivers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan, the Bucs almost knocked off the NFL's only undefeated team, but instead, they have now dropped three straight. Wide receiver Ryan Miller caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to tie the score 24-24. But their defense couldn't hold on, with a 10-play overtime drive capped off by Hunt's 2-yard touchdown.
The Bucs dropped below .500 for the first time season. They have one more game next week hosting the San Francisco 49ers before their Week 11 bye, and then Evans is expected to return. From there, their schedule gets considerably easier, as just one remaining opponent has a winning record (the Los Angeles Chargers), suggesting they could make another late-season playoff push.
QB breakdown: Mayfield completed 23-of-31 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. The 11-yard touchdown to tight end Cade Otton came in the corner of the end zone with safety Justin Reid in coverage. Like last week, Mayfield relied heavily on Otton and running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White in the screen game.
Biggest hole in the game plan: All four of the Chiefs' touchdowns came on third down, with two pitting Hopkins against Josh Hayes, getting his first career NFL start after Tyrek Funderburk struggled last week. The Bucs didn't have any other options, with Jamel Dean on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, but this was a tough assignment. Hayes did, however, recover a Tykee Smith forced fumble on Travis Kelce.
Eye-popping stat: Despite two sacks apiece from defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, the Bucs took a passive approach to pressuring Mahomes -- just as they did in Super Bowl LV. They blitzed on just 13% of Mahomes' dropbacks through the first three quarters, the second-lowest percentage in Bowles' time with the Bucs. Bowles' 11% blitz rate in Super Bowl LV is the lowest of his tenure calling the defense. -- Jenna Laine
Next game: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
