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Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Haris, Hasan register fastest and second fastest T20I centuries
LAHORE: Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris registered the fastest and second fastest T20I centuries for Pakistan in a space of 72 days showcasing their belligerent batting at the international stage. Hasan's scintillating 44-ball century came just in his third T20I outing at Auckland's Eden Park on 21st March, while wicketkeeper-batter Haris brought up his ton off 45 balls against Bangladesh in the final T20I of the three-match series on 1st June in Lahore. In the game against New Zealand, both opened the batting and amassed 74 runs off 5.5 overs, the highest-ever Power play for Pakistan in T20Is bettering a nine-year record of 73 runs against England in Manchester. The duo also contributed a combined 300 runs from 150 balls while batting in the top four during the series sweep over Bangladesh. Hasan has so far faced 118 balls in Pakistan colours making 227 runs with 16 fours and as many maximums. Haris, meanwhile, has racked up 370 runs across 17 T20I outings at a strike rate of 152 hitting 33 fours and 21 sixes. What stands out in these numbers is their prodigious ball-striking ability and record-breaking tons early in their careers. With the domestic 2024-25 and the home international season coming to an end, it is pertinent to trace the build-up towards Hasan and Haris' spectacular showings with the bat for Pakistan in T20Is. The 24-year-old Haris got off the mark in his T20I career with a straight six off England's Richard Gleeson at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in September 2022. Nearly three years later, he fittingly brought up his first international century at the scene of his T20I debut. Haris, who has featured in six ODIs for Pakistan, boasts 16 dismissals behind the stumps in 11 of his 23 outings in white-ball cricket. He enacted five dismissals including one stumping in the recent series against Bangladesh and hammered 179 runs at a staggering strike rate of 201, earning him the player of the series award. In just his second T20I, Haris was called up to fill in for Fakhar Zaman in a crucial ICC T20 World Cup 2022 match against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground. He announced his arrival by belting Kagiso Rabada for consecutive sixes followed by a four for his first runs in the tournament. The Peshawar-born batter showcased a range of shots in his 11-ball 28 hitting two fours and three sixes to set the tone for a huge total in a must-win match for Pakistan. His 31 and 30 in the following matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, respectively, also showed glimpses of his tremendous potential. Haris has featured in 117 T20s scoring 2,860 runs at a strike rate of 147.65 with the help of one century and 15 half-centuries. He made his T20I comeback, after last featuring for Pakistan in the format in April 2023, following a title-winning campaign with Allied Bank Stallions in the Champions T20 Cup and a strong performance in HBL PSL X. Haris-led Stallions went onto lift the trophy in the T20 tournament, where he contributed 269 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 151 including three half-centuries. In HBL-PSL-X, Haris collected 247 runs with a strike rate of 148 in 10 matches for Peshawar Zalmi including the highest score of 87. His tally of 53 fours and 21 sixes across the two T20 tournaments proved his boundary-hitting capability, striking a boundary every 4.5 balls. On Sunday night, Haris became the first non-opener and fifth Pakistan batter to register a T20I century marking a turning point in his Pakistan career. Hasan Nawaz banked on the 2024-25 domestic cricket season to stage an HBL PSL comeback and earn the coveted Pakistan cap. Hasan's first appearance in the career-defining 2024-25 domestic season began with two appearances for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in semi-final and final of President's Cup Grade-I where he scored 46 off 43 (4x4s, 3x6s) and 40 off 50 (2x4s, 2x6s), respectively. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 in October and November he accumulated 273 runs for Islamabad Region in five outings. It also included a career-best 169 where he spent 406 minutes on the crease against Larkana Region striking 21 fours and one six as only one other batter crossed 50-run mark from his side. The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup in December saw Hasan delivering consistently for Nurpur Lions and stamp his authority, finishing as the second-leading run-scorer with 312 runs in nine outings with the help of two half-centuries. He struck 30 fours and 17 sixes, displaying his power-hitting skills, and subsequently became Quetta Gladiators' Emerging category pick in the HBL PSL X draft on 13 January. Hasan was also part of the 16-day Pakistan Strike Force camp at the National Cricket Academy in January, under the tutelage of former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, where a total of 25 emerging and top-performing domestic batters were invited to hone their hard-hitting skills. Hasan took the HBL PSL X by storm with his middle-order heroics, managing 399 runs in 12 matches with one century and three half-centuries striking at 162 – the second-highest among eight batters to score over 300 runs in the season. The 22-year-old was not only declared player of the tournament for his high-pressure knocks but was also named Best Batter, plotting a remarkable comeback after 28 runs in three appearances for Islamabad United in 2023. While the 2024-25 season was highly fruitful for Hasan, it is important to note that he also made the most of opportunities in the previous season playing non-first-class Hanif Mohammad Trophy and 50-over Hanif Mohammad Cup (non-List A) for Islamabad Region. In the four-day tournament in September and October 2023, he topped the run-charts with 530 runs in seven matches at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 72.11 – the best among the top 20 batters. In the 50-over iteration of the tournament in November 2023 he finished with 229 runs six matches at a strike rate of 90. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
UFL 2025: Best hot mic moments from Week 9
Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season featured some more compelling football. The St. Louis Battlehawks began the week by dominating the San Antonio Brahmas on the road on Friday night in a 39-13 victory on FOX. On Saturday, the Birmingham Stallions squeaked out a four-point win over the Michigan Panthers, while the Arlington Renegades beat the Memphis Showboats by double digits. Rounding out the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks got a stunning, three-point win over the DC Defenders on Sunday. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] That said, here are the best hot mic moments from Week 9! After getting off a pass, Stallions quarterback J'Mar Smith took a hit from Panthers defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth. But after the hit, Smith expressed to Stallworth that he has to "hit harder than that." J'Mar Smith ran over Panthers defensive back D.J. Miller Jr. and let him know about it with some choice words. Michigan drew first blood against Birmingham early in the second quarter when quarterback Danny Etling hooked up with wide receiver Siaosi Mariner for a 33-yard touchdown. After the scoring play, evil laughter could be heard. J'Mar Smith was emphatic after a successful one-point conversion with his legs in Saturday's tilt. Toa Taua put Michigan back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run with 7:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. After the score, Danny Etling wanted the Panthers to "meet" the running back in the end zone. After reeling in a completion, Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors refused to go down and picked up some extra yards despite multiple defenders trying to take him down. Saylors proclaimed the play to be a "mic drop." Prior to taking a hit, Battlehawks quarterback Max Duggan got off a pass, but then he had to ask his teammates what happened on the play. After hearing the good news that wide receiver Jahcour Pearson came down with the reception, Duggan claimed it to be "good s---." Stallions head coach Skip Holtz was trying to get his team in the game, stressing that they had to "get up" because there was "a game to play." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
J'Mar Smith finding his groove headlines top UFL storylines from Week 9
With his team on their fourth starting quarterback, Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz may have lucked into his most productive option at the position in J'Mar Smith. The Louisiana Tech product is heating up when the Stallions need him most — at the end of the regular season and heading into the playoffs. Smith went 22-for-31 for a season-high 307 yards and two touchdowns in Birmingham's 26-22 victory over the visiting Michigan Panthers on Saturday in what was a preview of the USFL Conference title game. Smith connected with 10 different pass catchers. He also helped Birmingham finish an impressive 11-of-13 on third down, which included converting six plays on the money down of third-and-7 or longer. "You try and stay out of third and long situations because you get behind the chains, and they can do anything they want defensively," Smith said. "But a couple of guys made some great plays. You get the ball into their hands, and they made the first down or went and scored touchdowns, and that's what happened. "It's all credit to those skill guys — the O-line and the running backs — to go out there to make it happen, and Coach Holtz giving us the job to go out and execute." The Stallions averaged 20.6 points a game through the first seven games of the year, but they've averaged 27 points a contest in the past two games that Smith has started at QB. With the win, the Stallions improved to 6-3 on the season with one game left, while the Panthers dropped to 6-3. In the XFL Conference, the St. Louis Battlehawks (7-2) continued their winning ways, topping the San Antonio Brahmas (1-8) by double digits, 39-13, for the team's league-leading fifth win in a row. The 39 points was a season-high for St. Louis. The Arlington Renegades (4-5) got back on the winning track with a 30-12 victory over the Memphis Showboats (2-7) in a game delayed three hours by thunderstorms. In the final game of the weekend, the Houston Roughnecks (4-5) stunned the DC Defenders (6-3) in a down-to-the-wire thriller, 24-21. Here's a look at other storylines from Week 9: Proud dad moment: CB Micah Abraham scores TD in first game for Battlehawks Signed two weeks ago, Abraham immediately made his presence felt in his first action for St. Louis. The son of former NFL cornerback and St. Louis defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham, the Marshall product forced a fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. "I was happy for him when he scored on that touchdown," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Brecht said. "Donnie was really serious. He was like, 'Hey Coach, we got to keep going.' But how exciting is that? I have a son who plays football, and it's so rewarding to see your kids (be successful.) His mom was here, so I'm really proud of him." Becht said Abraham played around 20 plays in his debut, finishing with four combined tackles — highlighted by tracking down Brahmas RB Jaden Shirden on an 86-yard kickoff return and saving a score at the end of the first half. "We're going to need him," Becht said. "We only have four corners, and we're rolling with these guys. We're not going to find someone else to help us at this point." Brahmas missing Wade Phillips on defense San Antonio interim head coach Payton Pardee has done a commendable job of keeping the Brahmas together and putting a competitive team on the field with Phillips stepping away earlier this season due to health concerns. However, the Brahmas have missed the longtime defensive guru's presence on the field. During last year's run to the UFL title game, San Antonio had one of the top defenses in the league. The Brahmas held opponents to a league-best 15.3 points per game and led the league in sacks (32.0) in 2024. This season, the Brahmas are giving up a league-worst 22.3 points per game and have notched a league-low 12.0 sacks. "It's tackling, technique and knowing our assignment and executing that with the proper technique," Pardee said, when asked about his team's defensive struggles. "I believe in the guys that we have in this locker room, and I know we can improve." While San Antonio has struggled on defense, running back Jashaun Corbin has been a revelation. He finished with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown in the loss in Week 9 and has collected 337 rushing yards over his past three games. In his first start in four games, QB Kellen Mond was efficient, going 14-for-26 for 103 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Brahmas also had two dropped touchdown passes which would have improved Mond's numbers. Renegades' Marquette King executes heads-up fake punt With his team up 9-6 on the road at Memphis, King took advantage of an overaggressive rush from the Showboats, faking the punt and taking off down the sideline for a 37-yard run and a first down. The quick thinking by King led to a 40-yard field goal from kicker Lucas Havrisik. "That was Marquette being Marquette," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "He felt the rush, and he's got great experience. He felt they were a little overzealous when they were coming from the side, and he pulled it down. He's a great athlete. He can run. He makes a guy miss him, and he picks up a huge first down." The Pro Football Hall of Famer was on the sideline during the Defenders vs. Roughnecks contest in Houston over the weekend to show his support for DC receiver Javon Antonio. Owens said he spent a lot of time with Antonio at Colorado and has served as a mentor for him. Antonio finished with two receptions for 24 yards on three targets. Owens said the UFL offers a good opportunity for young players to develop and try to reach the next level. "They've just got to take it one day at a time," he added. "Don't take it for granted to be where they are, and give themselves the best opportunity, just by going out there and making plays. This is where it starts." Meanwhile, Cornell Powell had another strong performance for the Defenders, finishing with eight receptions for 104 yards and two scores. With head coach and offensive guru Ken Whisenhunt stepping down earlier this season for personal reasons, the Showboats have struggled offensively under interim head coach Jim Turner. Memphis has averaged 15.4 points per game and a league-low 85 rushing yards a contest. Turner has started E.J. Perry, Troy Williams and Dresser Winn at quarterback but has yet to find consistency at the position. He'll turn to Winn as the starter for the final game of the regular season. "I would say it's just continuity on offense," Turner said when asked about his team's struggles on offense. "I've put the team in these situations a little bit. I'm probably the main problem offensively, because I've done so many different things at quarterback. … I think it's just continuity. It's just playing together better and finding a way to get across the goal line. To score instead of kicking." Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! 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Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
‘It's insane': Somerset Silver Palms softball wins first state title with dominant effort
Caylee Cerda was ready to celebrate as she rounded first and saw her teammates begin to rush out of the dugout. But when Leilani Gonzalez stepped across home plate to score the run, which capped a 12-2, mercy-rule victory for Somerset Silver Palms' softball team, the umpires just went back to their stations as usual. The Stallions had waited five years for a moment like this. So an extra five seconds really didn't matter. The confusion passed quickly and the umpires signaled the game was over, allowing Cerda and her teammates to share in a wild celebration on the field as Somerset celebrated its first ever state championship after a dominant win over Eustis on Thursday night in the Class 3A final at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood. 'I was like, 'That's it, we won,'' Cerda said. 'I was on top of the world when I was running and saw my teammates running out of the dugout. This is an amazing team. I love having them with me every moment.' Somerset Silver Palms began building to this moment five years ago when veteran former Miami Palmetto and FIU coach Gator Rebhan became head coach. The Stallions made it to state for the first time in 2023 and lost in the state final to Clearwater Calvary Christian. They returned last season and lost in the state semifinal to Montverde Academy. This year, they left no doubt. After beating Dunedin 9-2 in a semifinal on Wednesday, the Stallions unleashed another offensive barrage on Eustis. 'Those girls came out and put it to them. I'm so proud of them,' Rebhan said. 'We smashed. This was great.' Cerda led the charge with a solo homer in the third and hit the game-clinching double in the fifth inning. 'It felt amazing. Just seeing that pitch, I knew it was my pitch,' Cerda said. 'I guess the adrenaline and seeing the team cheered me up.' Cerda has a knack for coming up with big hits at the state final four as she also homered in last season's semifinal. 'I was happy for the game but for her as a person. I know how happy she was to hit a home run in a big game like this,' Silver Palms starting pitcher Ava Stevens said. 'It's insane. We're young and growing as a team too.' Stevens shined once again both in the pitching circle and hitting. Stevens pitched all five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, struck out two and walked one. At the plate, Stevens had three hits and two RBI. Gonzalez and Katelyn Champion also each had two RBI. 'I'm just beyond excited and grateful for this team,' Stevens said. 'Just coming out and facing two very good pitchers, everyone wanted it. We wanted it for ourselves individually, but everyone also did it for each other. Unreal.' Rebhan praised his school's principal Kerri O'Sullivan, who helped hire him five years ago with the hope he could turn the Stallions into state champions the same way he did for Palmetto when he helped that program win state titles in 2000 and 2003. Rebhan thought he was done coaching at the high school level after his stint at FIU, but returned to coach a young core of players, some of which are still on the team like Rebhan's daughter, Taylor, the team's starting shortstop, Stevens and Gonzalez. 'We started with sixth and seventh graders. We played all the top teams the first year and got our butts whooped,' Rebhan said 'The second year, got a little better and third year made it to state. 'We didn't win it the first time we got here and it didn't work out last year,' Rebhan said. 'But this year, we got there and we won it. Everything came into place.'
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Somerset Silver Palms softball advances to state final; Miami Christian falls in semi
Somerset Silver Palms' softball team has become a regular at the state final four over the past three seasons. But the Stallions have yet to capture that elusive first state championship. Playing at a new site this season, Somerset is hoping for a new result. The Stallions moved halfway to that goal on Wednesday with a dominant 9-2 win over Dunedin in a Class 3A state semifinal at Boombah Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood. Top-seeded Somerset Silver Palms (23-6) advanced to the state final for the second time in three seasons and faces Eustis on Thursday night at 6:30. Eustis (23-4) is playing at state for the third time in five seasons and looking to win back-to-back state titles. Sophomore Ava Stevens pitched a complete game, allowing two runs - both in the seventh inning after the Stallions had built a 9-0 lead. She gave up four hits and struck out seven with no walks. Brigitte Valdera led Somerset offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI while freshman Carley Hernandorena also drove in two runs. Taylor Rebhan went 1 for 3 and scored two runs. Class 1A state semifinal - Geneva 10, Miami Christian 7: The Victors, who made it to the state semifinals in softball for the first time in the 70-year history of the school, fell behind to Geneva 8-0 following the top-half of the first inning. But the Victors fought back with Maria Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom of the frame. Miami Christian trailed 10-3 heading into the final three outs of the game, but the Victors did not go down quietly, scoring four times in the bottom of the seventh. In the end, it was not enough as Miami Christian finished with a 16-9 record under coach Pio Herrera. Miami Christian's standouts this season were junior pitcher Renata Silvas, who won all 16 games and hit .480; and senior first baseman Camila Holguin, who hit .430 with eight homers. Janelle Dominguez, Miami Christian's assistant coach and a former college catcher, said the Victors had just 10 players earlier this season and finished with only nine. 'Nobody has the heart these girls have,' Dominguez said. Asked what she thinks will happen next year, Dominguez said: 'Make it back to state and win it – hopefully with more than nine players.' WALTER VILLA
