General Sports 3d Briefing
×Cricket
Pakistan bbc.com beat Sri Lanka by five runs in the T20 World Cup Super 8s but missed out on a semi-final spot on net run-rate. Sahibzada Farhan bbc.com hit his second century of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup to boost Pakistan's chances of a wide margin victory over Sri Lanka to secure a place in the semi-finals. South Africa bbc.com put on an impressive run chase to beat West Indies by nine wickets with 3.5 overs to spare, qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finals. India's Abhishek Sharma bbc.com returned to form with a half-century off 26 balls in India's T20 World Cup Super 8s match against Zimbabwe after being dismissed for three consecutive ducks.
Rugby
Glasgow Warriors bbc.com missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the top of the United Rugby Championship table as Sean Jansen's last-gasp try lifted Connacht to a dramatic victory at Dexcom Stadium. Edinburgh bbc.com battled past a spirited Scarlets side 24-19 to secure a crucial bonus-point win in their bid to reach the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Cardiff bbc.com boosted their URC play-off bid by ending champions Leinster's 11-game winning streak at the Arms Park. England bbc.com secured an unlikely four-wicket win over New Zealand in a nail-biting finish at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, led by Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks. England bbc.com will consider leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for Friday's T20 World Cup match against New Zealand with spinning conditions expected.
Tennis
Daniil Medvedev bbc.com says it is "not how I wanted to win" the Dubai Tennis Championships title after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew because of injury. Britain's Katie Boulter bbc.com reached the quarter-finals of the Merida Open in Mexico as Camila Osorio retired with injury, securing her seventh consecutive WTA win.
Snooker
Barry Hawkins bbc.com beat Wu Yize 6-4 to reach the Welsh Open final for the second time in his career. John Higgins bbc.com remains on course for a sixth Welsh Open title after brushing aside Zhou Yuelong in the quarter-finals. Stephen Bunting bbc.com inflicted a third final defeat of the season on Gian van Veen to win night four of the Premier League in Belfast.
Basketball
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bbc.com marked his return from injury with 36 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime. The San Antonio Spurs bbc.com extended their winning run as Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder lost at the Detroit Pistons.
Soccer
Nottingham Forest's Tash Pavelin bbc.com says her side "showed a lot of grit and determination" in their Netball Super League season opener as they beat London Mavericks by one point in a thrilling game. Castleford bbc.com completed their first Super League win of the season as Ashton Golding scored on his debut against former club Huddersfield Giants. York Knights bbc.com earned a second shock win in three weeks as Danny Richardson's drop-goal secured victory at Hull FC. Wigan Warriors bbc.com won their opening three Super League games as they look to regain the title they won in 2023 and 2024.
Golf
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan bbc.com says he has "a lot of rehab and hard work" ahead of him after falling multiple floors down an open lift shaft before the start of the South African Open.
Combat Sports
Brandon Moreno espn.com still thinks he can be a three-time champion ten years into his UFC career. Britain's Lone'er Kavanagh bbc.com says facing former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in Mexico City on Saturday will be a "legendary moment" in his career. Stephen Bunting won night four of the Premier League in Belfast, inflicting a third final defeat of the season on Gian van Veen.
Motorsport
Formula 1 bbc.com has become one big star playground as the eighth series of Netflix's hugely popular Drive To Survive is released this weekend. Cadillac and Audi bbc.com enter F1 with the ultimate goal of becoming world champions, both knowing they have some way to go before achieving that aim.
American Football
Michigan espn.com defeated No. 10 Illinois 84-70 on Friday night and clinched the Big Ten regular-season title. Oregon State men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle espn.com will not return next season after 12 years at the helm, the school announced Thursday. Cincinnati espn.com is suing former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, alleging he breached his NIL contract with the Bearcats by refusing to pay a $1 million exit fee following his transfer to Texas Tech.
Wrestling
Logan Paul espn.com earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber match on "Smack Down" where new tag team champions were crowned.
Other Sports
Reading West Indians RUFC bbc.com went on to inspire generations of black players after being created in the 1970s. England's Harry Brook bbc.com hit a humongous six for England against New Zealand, as the ball flew over square leg and into the stadium screen at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. England Under-18 prospect Harry Westlake bbc.com was ready to sing as an England Under-18 after his six-year-old rendition of the national anthem as a Twickenham mascot was an internet sensation.
Administration & Governance
A radical new structure for English rugby bbc.com is set to be rubber-stamped by the RFU, with the Prem separating from the rest of the pyramid and promotion and relegation scrapped. The GAA's Annual Congress at Croke Park bbc.com was disrupted by a protest calling for the association to cut ties with sponsor Allianz. Veteran promoter Frank Warren bbc.com confirms he is considering legal action against Saudi Arabian-owned Sela and American company TKO over the Zuffa Boxing launch.