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Wade Blasts Australia into ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final

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Mathew Wade struck the final three balls of the 19th over for six to give Australia a dramatic five-wicket victory against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Chasing 177 for victory Australia slumped to 96 for five in the 13th over and still needed an unlikely 62 from the final five overs but Marcus Stoinis (40*) and Wade (41*) held their nerve even when 37 were required from the final three overs.

With 22 required from the final two overs Pakistan captain Babar Azam recalled his ‘big gun’ Shaheen Afridi to the attack but left-hander Wade swung the fourth ball into the stand at deep midwicket and, using the pace of the bowler, audaciously ramped consecutive balls over fine leg and suddenly the match was finished – with an over to spare.

Captain Aaron Finch was earlier trapped lbw for a first-ball duck by a brilliant inswinging yorker from Afridi but Mitchell Marsh and David Warner repaired the early damage with a stand of 51 in just five overs to reach the power-play on 52 for one.

A top-edged slog-sweep ended Marsh’s inning on 28 from 22 balls (4×4, 1×6) but left-hander Warner continued to look in fine form, smashing three fours and three sixes – one off feared fast bowler Haris Rauf’s first ball – in reaching 49 from just 30 balls.

But when Steve Smith (5) was caught at long-on off legspinner Shadab Khan, Warner edged a googly to ‘keeper Rizwan 10 balls later and the run chase had stumbled to 89 for four at the start of the 11th over.

Australia slipped into further trouble two overs later when Glenn Maxwell’s switch-hit against Shadab was superbly caught by Rauf at deep square leg, sending the man called ‘Big Show’ back to the dugout for just seven from 10 balls and giving Shadab (4-26) the best figures ever in a T20 World Cup semifinal.

SPORTS

Finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games Begin in Enugu

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The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.

7 and Aug.
10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.

“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.

Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.

He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.

Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).

The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.

“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.

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Super Falcons’ Nnadozie Nominated for Ballon d’Or Best Goalkeeper Award

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Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, the Ballon d’Or award for the best female goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old recently joined Brighton Women FC from Paris FC after helping the French side win their first major title in nearly two decades.

Nnadozie delivered a heroic performance in the final of the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine, where Paris FC edged Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at Stade de l’Épopée in Calais.

She was also instrumental in Nigeria’s success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons secured a record-extending 10th continental crown against host nation, Morocco.

Her standout displays earned her the Best Goalkeeper award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women) and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).

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Super Falcons Maintain 36th Position in Latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.

The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website yesterday.

While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.

Former WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.

Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.

The Super Falcons recently won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.

Second half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround.

Okoronkwo, scored a goal and provided two assists against the Moroccans was Named Player of the Match.

Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Meanwhile, World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024.

The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024.

However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the USA in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind Spain.

The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them.

France completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.

The next edition of the Women’s World Ranking will be published on 11 December 2025.

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