Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 19 September 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start with cricket: Afghanistan beat South Africa by six wickets in the first of three one-day internationals at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. Wiaan Mulder’s career-best 52 was not enough as Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets to dismiss the Proteas for 106. In reply, Gulbadin Naib scored an unbeaten 34 as the homeside secured victory with 144 balls to spare. This is the first time Afghanistan has beaten South Africa in any format. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Women beat South Africa by 13 runs in the second T20 at the Multan Cricket Stadium to level the three-match series one-all. Captain Fatima Sana and Nida Dar’s 60-run partnership helped the home side reach 181 for four in their 20 overs. In reply, Sune Luus notched up an unbeaten 53 off 29 balls but it was not enough for the visitors as they finished on 168 for four. The decider will be played on Friday at the same venue.

# Rugby: Prop Ethan de Groot, wing Caleb Clarke and fullback Beauden Barrett are back in the All Blacks starting fifteen for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney. Coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the run on side. Will Jordan moves to the right wing pushing Sevu Reece to the reserves, with Barrett at fullback. The New Zealanders have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and are favourites to retain the trophy again this year. Robertson is expecting a tough encounter:

# Soccer: Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a goalless draw against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium. The match was a repeat of the 2023 final won by City in Istanbul. Jamie Gittens scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat Club Brugge three-nil. Celtic won their first match of a Champions League campaign for the first time at the 13th attempt, beating Slovan Bratislava five-one. Paris St-Germain defeated debutants Girona one-nil. City manager, Pep Guardiola, says their overall performance was good:

# And finally, tennis: American world number six Coco Gauff has ended her 14-month partnership with coach Brad Gilbert. The 20-year-old hired Gilbert last year to work alongside Spanish coach Pere Riba. She went on a fantastic run shortly after that including winning the US Open, where she became the youngest American woman to win her home major since Serena Williams 25 years earlier. Riba left shortly after Gauff won the US Open and has been coaching Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng Qinwen.

Stay tuned for more news………….